2023 Top Stories: A Look Back At Illinois’ Biggest Stories

ILLINOIS — The new year is here, and with it an opportunity to take stock of the year that was. In Illinois, it was a year of legal milestones — from the end of cash bail to a ban on assault weapons — and a year of big changes, like the potential for the Chicago Bears to leave soldier field and head to the suburbs, and some turmoil, from the migrant crisis to crimes that shocked Illinois and the nation.

But there was happy news too, from a love that endured more than a half-century to stories that touched our hearts.

Here’s a look back at Illinois Patch’s top stories of 2023.

New Laws Affected Illinoisans

In 2023, many new laws took effect, but two in particular created controversy: the SAFE-T Act, which eliminated cash bail in Illinois, and an assault weapons ban.

Both laws faced Republican opposition and legal challenges, but ultimately were upheld by the supreme court.

Related: 20 New Illinois Laws That Could Change Your Life In 2024

Assault Weapon Ban

The assault weapon ban has faced a legal fight from the National Association For Gun Rights as well as a Naperville gun shop owner, but in a ruling in mid-December, the U.S. Supreme Court once again upheld the law. The decision came just weeks before the deadline for gun owners to register weapons restricted under the Protect Illinois Communities Act.

Over the year, the assault weapon ban has survived multiple legal and political challenges.
Signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker less than six months after the 2022 Highland Park July 4 parade mass shooting, the Protect Illinois Communities Act bans military-style firearms and large capacity magazines. In addition to defining certain semiautomatic rifles, pistols and shotguns as "assault weapons" and banning their sale and unregistered possession, the law also introduces restrictions on magazines that carry more than 15 rounds of ammunition for handguns or more than 10 rounds for rifles and shotguns.

Related:

• Illinois Assault Weapon Ban Challenges Filed In State, Federal Courts
• Assault Weapons Ban Upheld By Illinois Supreme Court In 4-3 Decision
• Illinois Assault Weapons Ban 'Facially Unconstitutional,' Judge Rules
• Illinois Sheriffs File Opposition To State's Gun Ban In Federal Court
• NRA, Illinois Gun Dealers File Federal Suits Over Assault Weapon Ban

SAFE-T Act

The SAFE-T Act, which ended cash bail, also faced multiple legal challenges over the year after a judge ruled it unconstitutional in December 2022. However, the state supreme court reversed that decision in 2023, and it went back into effect in September.

The act allows judges to determine if a person charged with a crime poses enough of a risk to society in determining whether they are required to post bond as a condition of their release. While some lawmakers praised the act, some said it “stacks the deck” against the victims of crimes and makes communities less safe.

Under the cashless bail system, defendants who are not deemed a safety risk or a flight risk are permitted to be released without paying any bond. The system does not apply to most violent offenders, who, under the Act, are without bond in most cases.

Migrant Crisis

Throughout the year, area communities grappled with the arrival of migrants to Illinois, many sent by bus to the Chicago area from other states.

In the fall, city officials in Joliet reacted strongly to a grant accepted by Joliet Township to help house asylum seekers arriving in the area. City officials urged the township supervisor to with draw the grant application, and the backlash eventually prompted the refusal of the nearly $9 million grant.

But migrants continue to arrive in area suburbs. In December, numerous communities reported unauthorized charter buses dropping migrants off in the suburbs, with several towns passing rules or executive orders banning coach bus drop-offs.
Related:

• Migrant Crisis: Frankfort 'Prepared' After Buses Arrive Nearby
• Migrant Crisis Prompts Stricter Tinley Rules On Intercity Bus Dropoffs
• Migrants Sent to Elmhurst Train Station
• New Lenox Mayor Restricts Migrant Drop-Offs In Town

Crimes That Shocked Illinois, Nation

Maya Smith

In January, a woman was found slain in her vehicle, with her 2-year-old daughter strapped into her car seat behind her. The little girl was left in the car for hours after the shooting, police believe. Maya Smith, 24, was killed by her on again, off again boyfriend, who was convicted in the slaying in August and will never get out of prison.

Violent Carjacking

In February, a pregnant young mother was brutally beaten and run over as carjackers stole her vehicle — with her 2-year-old son still inside it.

The 2-year-old boy was abandoned a short time later in a parking lot at a business, and a person working there rushed to the child’s aid.

The mother, who was six months pregnant, suffered serious injuries, but she and her unborn child survived.

Young Mom Stabbed To Death

In August, another young mother was stabbed to death and found outside her home. Lauren Pikor, 30, was the dedicated mother to an 8-year-old daughter. Her estranged boyfriend is charged in her slaying.

Quadruple Homicide

In September, the slaying of a family of four — a couple and their two young sons — shocked a suburban community. The family was found shot to death in their home, alongside their three family dogs.

The family was identified as Alberto Rolon, 38; Zoraida Bartolomei, 32, and their two sons Adriel and Diego, ages 10 and 7. In the days that followed the killings, police said the man they believe was the shooter was found dead after crashing his vehicle in Oklahoma.

Police later said a woman who was also killed following the police chase was involved in the crime, helping to plan it and driving the shooter to the scene.

Plainfield Hate Crime

In October, the area was again rocked by a killing that authorities have dubbed a hate crime, with aftershocks of the crime rippling nationwide.

A 6-year-old boy was stabbed to death and his mother severely injured in a crime police believe was motivated by their Muslim faith amid the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Little Wadee Alfayoumi and his mother, Hanan Sheehan, were attacked by their 72-year-old landlord in the quiet suburb, according to officials. He now faces first-degree murder and hate crime charges, among other offenses.

Related:

• Conservative Talk Radio Influenced Plainfield Child Killer: Attorney
• Father Of Slain Boy Sues Plainfield Landlord For Wrongful Death

Are The Bears Leaving Soldier Field?

Will they stay or will they go? That’s the question everyone is wondering about the Chicago Bears, who seemed to be lukewarm on the city of Chicago’s efforts to keep them at Soldier Field and have purchased the former Arlington Park property, mulling plans for a new stadium there — although those talks have cooled somewhat.

But the NFL team has been courted by so many suburbs it’s hard to keep up — and the Bears are reportedly in renewed talks with the city of Chicago to stay in their Soldier Field digs or develop a new property nearby.

Business Comings and Goings

It was a rough year for local breweries, with several beloved suburban spots closing for good, including Metal Monkey Brewing in Romeoville, Oswego Brewing, Tribes Brewing in Mokena and MyGrain Brewing in Joliet.

These IL Retailers Went Out Of Business In 2023

Other longtime restaurants and bars also closed for good, as reported by Patch: Illinois Restaurants That Closed Permanently In 2023

But there was also some good news and new businesses opening. In Joliet, the long-awaited Olive Garden opened in April, a hush-hush new McDonald’s concept known as CosMc’s opened its first-ever location in December, a new Portillo’s opened in November and one suburb learned it will soon be home to a new Cooper’s Hawk location.

Tornado Alley

Illinois started 2023 off with severe weather, including a tornado that collapsed the roof of a music venue, killing one man and injuring other concertgoers.

By mid-2023, the state had the dubious honor to have more tornadoes than any other state.

Wildfires Affect Illinois

Massive wildfires in Canada had a harsh impact on Illinois over the summer, causing poor air quality and endangering those with respiratory issues.

Most Expensive Home Ever

A billionaire is planning the most expensive home in Illinois history — to the tune of $77 million — but has plans have hit some snags in affluent Winnetka.

Lasting Love

For 51 years, Dennis and Barbara Johnsen were inseparable. In the end, they only had to be apart for 12 hours. The couple's children shared their parents' enduring love: "We are all of the mindset that she took comfort knowing that she wasn't going to be leaving him behind," their son said.

Want a more in-depth look back at 2023? Patch has you covered:

• Notable Deaths In Illinois: Remembering Those We Lost In 2023
• Illinois Animal Stories We Loved In 2023
• Dancin' Ditkas, Heroes Gift Boots: Stories That Made Us Smile In 2023
• 11 Illinois Stories That Made You Say 'What?' In 2023
• FBI's Dozen Most Wanted Illinois Fugitives Of 2023
• Stunning Images Showcase State: Best Of IL In Photos 2023
• These IL Lottery Winners Are Living Big After Scoring Millions In 2023