Charlie Kirk Killing, School Superintendent Pays For Porn, Fugitive Groom Caught: Biggest IL Stories Of 2025

As 2025 comes to a close, Patch is looking back at the biggest stories of the year in Illinois.

From political turmoil over immigration enforcement and the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, to a new law legalizing medical aid in dying, it's been a tumultuous year in Illinois.

Illinois mourned tragedies, and saw one of its most-wanted fugitives captured at last.

Cold cases were solved and new crimes rocked communities.

Community members rallied around their own, and Bears fans felt the thrill of victory and the rollercoaster of emotions as the NFL team considers leaving Chicago.

Here are just some of the stories that defined 2025 in the Chicago area:

Fugitive Groom Captured In Mexico After 12 Years On The Run: FBI

As 2025 got underway, one of the FBI's most wanted Illinois fugitives was finally captured after more than a decade. Arnoldo Jimenez, now 43, was wanted in the stabbing death of his newlywed wife, 26-year-old Estrella Carrera, on their wedding night in May 2012. Carrera's body, still wearing the same silver sequined cocktail dress she wore celebrating the wedding with family, was found in the bathtub of her condo after she failed to pick up her two young children the day after the celebration.

Police believe Jimenez stabbed Carrera in his black, four-door 2006 Maserati and took her body back to Carrera’s condo, then told his sister he had had a "bad fight" with his wife and left her bleeding. The Texas-born Jimenez reportedly said that if the police came looking for him, to tell law enforcement that he was heading to Mexico. Police were able to track his phone to Hidalgo, Texas, near the Mexican border. He was captured January 30, 2025, in Monterrey, Mexico.

Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student At Suburban High School

A suburban tutor and coach was arrested after "extremely disturbing" allegations she sexually assaulted a 15-year-old student during a tutoring session more than a year earlier. Prosecutors say police had been contacted by the boy's mom after she learned of the incident via his cellphone text messages.

Christina Formella was placed on paid administrative leave. She was granted pre-trial release, but is prohibited from going into the high school or interacting with anyone younger than 18 years old. "Formella has been teaching in our special services department since the 2020-21 school year," the school said. "She was a volunteer soccer coach starting in the fall of 2020, and has been on the coaching staff for both girls and boys soccer since August 2021."

In June, disturbing new allegations were revealed as Formella was charged with 52 more counts in the sexual abuse case.

In July, Formella was denied a request to decrease the "buffer zone" of 5,000 feet between her and the student reduced, as she reportedly lives less than a mile from the teen's workplace.

Teenage Serial Killer Preyed On Strangers For Months: Police

A 17-year-old killed six strangers during the summer of 2020, according to police. "None of these people had ever met Antonio Reyes before, and there’s no reason to suspect Antonio Reyes had any reason to target them," the state's attorney said during a press conference. "But that's exactly what he did.
One victim was taking his children to buy a puppy and another was going to a gas station to buy a soda when they were killed, police said.

Now 21, Reyes has been in jail on murder charges in the June 2020 death of a 26-year-old man. In February, he was charged with five additional counts of murder and four counts of attempted murder.

Missing Woman's Body Found After 2 Months, Man Charged With Abuse Of A Corpse

In April, the body of Megan Bos was found, nearly two months after she went missing. Police found the 37-year-old woman's partially decomposed body in a trash can behind the home of Jose Mendoza-Gonzalez, who has since been charged with abuse of a corpse, obstructing justice and concealing a death.

He was initially freed since those charges are not detainable under the SAFE-T Act, but in July, Mendoza-Gonzalez was picked up by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Related: More Details Released On Cause Of Death For Megan Bos

'Unimaginable Grief': More Details In After-School Camp Crash That Killed 3 Kids, 1 Teen

In April, tragedy struck when a woman's vehicle traveled through a field and struck several people before plowing into a building during an after-school camp. In the immediate aftermath, three children — 7-year-olds Kathryn Corley and Alma Buhnerkempe, and 8-year-old Ainsley Johnson — died, as well as 18-year-old Rylee Britton.

In June, hospitalized 8-year-old Bradley Lund also died, bringing the death toll to five. Six other children were taken to area hospitals for injuries.

The collision occurred when 44-year-old Marianne Akers’ vehicle left the road, traveling 1,300 feet through a field before crashing into a building, crossing a gravel road and coming to rest against a pole and fence, officials have said.

A lawyer for the driver called the crash a "freak occurrence," saying she likely had a seizure. Police said no drugs or alcohol were in her system at the time of the crash.

Man Missing From Concert Venue Found Dead: Family

A search for a man who went missing from his job at a suburban concert venue ended in sadness when 50-year-old Timothy Fogt was found dead the next morning, having been struck by a semi-trailer the night before. Fogt was a longtime teacher at Valley View Community Unit School District 365U in Romeoville.

In the aftermath, police set out to quell rumors, denying that Fogt's death was a hit-and-run crash.

Family said Fogt was believed to be experiencing a mental health crisis at the time. His daughter spoke out about mental health and suicide prevention awareness, recalling her dad's legacy as a beloved local teacher.

Toddler Dies, 12 Others Injured When Car Plows Into Portillo's: Police

In late July, 2-year-old Finnegan McKee died, and a dozen people were hurt when a woman's vehicle crashed through the entrance of a suburban Portillo's restaurant.

In August, the little boy's family filed a lawsuit, accusing the restaurant chain of "gross negligence" by allowing cars to park directly in front of the main entrance to the popular restaurant. The crash was attributed to "driver error," and no charges were filed against the driver.

In December, the village passed "Finnegan's Law," which requires new businesses to install protective barriers.

Ice Cream Shop Owner Secretly Recorded Underage Female Employees With Fake Wall Outlet: Police

In August, the owner of the "Flavor Frenzy" ice cream shop was arrested, accused of setting up a hidden camera in a bathroom and recording underage female employees and they tried on and modeled different T-shirts for the business.

The shop was closed, and owner Steven Weisberg, 58, is charged with two counts of child pornography and two counts of unauthorized video recording, all felonies. A law firm representing multiple victims said "the audacity of this alleged video recording scheme is appalling."

According to police, while executing a search warrant for Weisberg's electronic devices at his home and at the ice cream shop, investigators found 11 videos in his phone's deleted folder depicting six different people, at least three of whom were female employees of Flavor Frenzy, using the bathroom.

Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk Shot Dead In Utah

Suburban native Charlie Kirk was shot dead during an event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, shocking and horrifying his audience and people around the globe.

The 31-year-old Chicago-area native and conservative evangelist was the founder of Turning Point USA, which he reportedly started from his childhood home before he was even 20 years old.

Two persons of interest were detained and released in the shooting before federal officials said 22-year-old Tyler Robinson was taken into custody. Authorities said Robinson confessed to the shooting to a relative.

RELATED: 'Horrifying': IL Leaders React After Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk Fatally Shot

Kirk's death sparked tributes as well as criticism. In the suburbs, a high school teacher was investigated but remained on staff after complaints about a post she made criticizing of Kirk's comments on gun control.

ICE Protesters Tear Gassed, Congressional Candidate Thrown To Ground During Demonstration

After his election in November 2024, President Donald Trump has taken aim at Democrat-led states, including Illinois, with an immigration crackdown and failed attempts to deploy the National Guard.

Since late fall, protesters have flocked to an ICE processing center in Broadview, prompting claims of human rights abuses and violence aimed at demonstrators.

Related:

• ICE Shoots Pastor With Pepper Ball, Maces Cemetery Workers Trying To Help Man In River: Reports
• Protester Hit By Truck Near ICE Facility: Police
• IL Congressional Candidate, 5 Others Indicted Over ICE Protests
• 21 Arrests Made, 4 Cops Injured During 'Outrageous' Protests At Ice Facility

'Suspected Human Remains' In Car Pulled From Lake Tied To Missing Person Case

More than two decades after 21-year-old Hiep Luu disappeared on his way to work, police say a vehicle pulled from a lake has been tied to the case, and suspected human remains were found in the 1992 Nissan Maxima.

Luu, who immigrated to the U.S. from Vietnam, was last seen in December 2003. He had left Berwyn to go to work at his job in Woodridge on the morning of Dec. 15 in a 1992 Nissan Maxima, but never arrived at work.

The Nissan was found during a first responder training exercise.

Couple Found Dead In Car ID'd As Newlyweds With Ties To Suburbs

A couple found shot dead in a vehicle parked in traffic were identified as newlyweds Rachel Dumovich, 29, and Brandon Dumovich, who had just turned 30 the day before. The couple was just days from their first wedding anniversary.

An officer discovered their bodies just before midnight Oct. 6 after going to check on their vehicle, which had its hazard lights on while parked in a northbound lane.

More than a month later, police revealed they believe the couple died in a murder-suicide.

Town Reels After Deaths Of 2 Young Boys, Town Rallies To Uplift Families

A small town was deep in grief, mourning the unexpected deaths of two boys just several days apart.

Danny Bayles died Oct. 16 after suffering a medical emergency. He was 11 years old. Days later, a 13-year-old boy was fatally struck by a semi in downtown Manhattan. Friends of the family later Tuesday identified him as Chance Hunnicutt.

"May god give the school counselors, teachers and staff the strength and courage they will need to help their students deal with such a heartbreaking tragedy," one community member wrote on social media. "It’s hard as adults to process …. I can’t imagine junior high emotions going through it. Prayers, strength and gratitude to all of you!"

Drowning Of Competitive Swimmer Now Classified A Homicide: Authorities

Sixteen years after Anna Schneider, 19, was found dead over Fourth of July weekend in her family's swimming pool, authorities have ruled the death of the accomplished competitive swimmer a homicide.

Police Chief Jim Montalbano told the newspaper in 2009 that it was unclear how Schneider had gotten into the pool.

Her family is now offering a$30,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in her death.

IL Superintendent Pays For Porn, Creates False Invoices: Report

The former superintendent of a west suburban school district paid thousands of dollars for porn on his government credit card, according to an investigation.

He is also accused of trying to hide the spending by directing an employee to create false invoices. After an investigation began, he told the employee in a text, "I can't lie anymore."

He resigned in November as part of an agreement with the school board. He was put on leave in April, a few months after Patch reported on his questionable spending.

Pritzker Signs Medical Aid In Dying Bill Into Law, IL Is 1st Midwest State To Authorize It

Starting in September, Illinois will become the 12th state to enact legislation to provide terminally ill patients with medical aid in dying.

The bill will allow terminally ill patients aged 18 or older with a diagnosis of six months or less to live to receive prescriptions to end their lives.

Also known as “Deb’s Law,” the bill honors Deb Robertson, a lifelong Illinois resident living with a rare terminal illness who has strongly advocated for the bill and shed light on the impacts on families and individuals struggling with terminal illness as they seek dignity and autonomy to peacefully end their lives on their terms.

Will Chicago Bears Leave Illinois? Team Might Build Stadium In Indiana, President Says

After years of push-pull — will the Chicago Bears stay in Chicago, or will they build on land the team purchased in Arlington Heights — the Bears CEO and president dropped a bombshell, revealing that the NFL team is considering building a stadium in Northwest Indiana.

"Consequently, in addition to Arlington Park, we need to expand our search and critically evaluate opportunities throughout the wider Chicagoland region, including Northwest Indiana," Kevin Warren said in a letter to fans. "This is not about leverage. We spent years trying to build a new home in Cook County. We invested significant time and resources evaluating multiple sites and rationally decided on Arlington Heights. Our fans deserve a world-class stadium."

The news comes as the Bears clinched their spot in the playoffs and amid fanfare over new coach Ben Johnson. In late November, Johnson ripped off his shirt after a victory over the Eagles, scoring fans a free hot dog from the Wiener's Circle.