Illinois
Illinois will provide burial for migrant toddler who died on bus from Texas
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois will provide for Thursday’s funeral and burial for the migrant toddler who died last week on a bus headed to Chicago from Texas, officials said.
Jismary Alejandra Barboza González, who would have turned 4 next week, died Aug. 10 while on a chartered bus, part of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s program begun last year of sending migrants crossing into the state to Democratic-led cities across the country.
Rachel Otwell, spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Human Services, confirmed the girl’s name and said the Illinois Welcoming Center, a partially state-funded program, will cover burial costs for Jismary. The child’s great aunt, Gisela Gonzalez, said the family set out for the United States in May from their home in Colombia, where Jismary was born.
The funeral service for the girl is scheduled for Thursday at a church in Warsaw, Indiana.
Welcoming centers offer comprehensive services for migrants. But Otwell said the family has not requested other help.
Otwell declined to identify which of the 36 welcoming center locations would provide the service. Nor would she say from what country Jismary’s family had emigrated.
“Given the sensitivity of this tragic event, and the way migrancy has been unfortunately politicized, (the department) does not believe it is appropriate to share certain details, such as the exact center that has supported the family,” Otwell said.
SEE ALSO: 3-year-old child dies aboard asylum-seeker bus heading to Chicago area from Texas: sources
Jismary died Thursday while the bus traveled Interstate 57 through Marion County, in southern Illinois, about 90 miles east of St. Louis. County Coroner Troy Cannon’s autopsy was inconclusive as to the cause of death. He ordered microscopic tests of tissue samples from the child in a search for abnormalities. The coroner’s office said Wednesday it had no updates.
Gisela Gonzalez, who lives in Venezuela, said there was no indication that the child was in distress or needed medical attention before she apparently suffered cardiac arrest on the bus. She said Jismary’s parents faced down the treacherous Darien Gap and crossed five Central American countries and Mexico before turning themselves in at a U.S. immigration checkpoint.
According to the Texas Division of Emergency Management, passengers on the bus, which departed from the border city of Brownsville, were given temperature checks and asked about health conditions before boarding. The agency’s Friday statement confirming the girl’s death marked the first time Texas authorities have announced a death since it began shuttling migrants last August.
Texas officials said that when the child became ill, the bus pulled to the side of the road and on-board security personnel called emergency responders. Paramedics assisted the girl, but she later died at a hospital.
Abbott’s Operation Lone Star has dispatched 30,000 migrants who have crossed into Texas seeking asylum to Chicago, Washington, New York, Philadelphia, Denver and Los Angeles – so-called sanctuary cities – in a protest he says will end when President Joe Biden “secures the border.”
Winder reported from Chicago. Associated Press writer Valerie Gonzalez in McAllen, Texas, contributed.
Illinois
Yuengling Now Available In IL: 'America's Oldest Brewery' Expands
ILLINOIS — Following last month’s announcement it was expanding to Illinois in early 2025, Pennsylvania-based Yuengling said Monday it is now officially selling its beers on draft throughout the state. Founded in 1829, D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. bills itself as “America’s oldest brewery.”
“As we look to further Yuengling’s presence in the Midwest, we are excited to officially begin pouring our iconic beers in Illinois as our next expansion state,” said Wendy Yuengling, chief administrative officer and sixth’generation family member, in a news release.
The brand’s flagship beers include Yuengling Traditional Lager, Light Lager, Golden Pilsner, and Black and Tan.
“I Ling, you Ling, we all Ling for Yuengling….my cleverness knows no bounds….i know. But in all serious we now have Yuengling on tap,” boasted Merichka’s Restaurant in Crest Hill (Joliet). A pint costs $4.75 at Merichka’s.
“We will be one of the FIRST spots in the entire state to pour Yuengling!,” says Player’s Pub and Grill, Prospect Heights.
“The Legendary Yuengling Beer just became available in Illinois as of Friday. We are the first in Illinois to have it on tap!! Come by and try one (or a few)!!,” Magoo’s Bar, located in Bedford Park, said Monday.
With the expansion in Illinois underway, Yuengling is telling customers to “ask for it at your local bar.” The company also has a “Find Our Beer” link on its website.
To celebrate the launch of the brands in Illinois, Yuengling said it will be visiting various locations throughout the state this week to offer consumers sampling opportunities.
Following the draft launch in late-January, Yuengling will become available in cans and bottles across the state at stores, restaurants and bars starting in early March.
Last year, Yuengling expanded into Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, marking it currently available in 27 states.
Illinois
Daily Public Schedule: Monday, January 27, 2025
What: Governor Pritzker to join Lookingglass Theatre to celebrate reopening.
Where: Lookingglass Theatre – Main Lobby; 163 E Pearson St, Chicago.
When: 10:00 am
Watch: www.illinois.gov/livevideo
Note: Attendees and media should enter the theatre through the main entrance located near the corner of Pearson Street and Michigan Avenue. Media planning to attend should RSVP to gov.press@illinois.gov.
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Illinois
Gamethread/How to watch Northwestern vs. Illinois: TV, radio, betting line, injury report
For the second time this season, Northwestern (12-7, 3-5 B1G) will take on No. 17 Illinois (13-6, 5-4 B1G), this time in Champaign on the road. The Wildcats are still looking for their first Big Ten road win, while the Illini will try to bounce back from an ugly 21-point home loss against Maryland on Sunday. Here’s how to follow along for Sunday’s match:
Broadcast Information
Location: State Farm Arena (Champaign, IL)
Game Time: 2:00 p.m. CST
TV/Streaming: BTN
Radio: WGN 720
Betting Line
Northwestern +7.5, O/U 151 (Odds Shark)
Injury Report
Northwestern:
OUT — None
QUESTIONABLE — none
Illinois:
OUT — Tomislav Ivisic
QUESTIONABLE — none
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