‘No-brainer’: Law would allow schools to kick out kids with pending felony charges

Belleville East High School parent Ed McCann of Swansea was alarmed to learn a student with pending felony charges was permitted to attend the same school as his son and daughter.

McCann and others became aware of student David E. Fields’ criminal history after Fields, 17, was charged in connection with the criminal sexual assault of a female student in December on campus. In September, Fields was charged with two counts of aggravated battery and illegal possession of ammunition after St. Clair County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of shots fired at his Shiloh home

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New Law That You Need to Know in 2014

SPRINGFIELD — Illinoisans soon will be able to stomp the gas pedal a little harder on rural interstates, but they’ll have to put down their mobile phones when they do it.

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Judge reverses herself, charges dropped in gun case after ruling

A Cook County judge reversed herself Monday and dismissed weapons charges against a Chicago man after a recent Illinois Supreme Court ruling that called part of the state’s gun law unconstitutional.

Cook County Circuit Judge Ellen Mandeltort last week denied Deafalla Haddad’s request to drop the charges.

But the Supreme Court ruled Thursday that part of the state’s gun law was unconstitutional and advised prosecutors to drop charges in certain cases. That ruling fell in step with a federal court decision earlier this year declaring that the state’s gun laws violated the U.S. Constitution.

At Monday’s hearing, defense attorney Matt Fakhoury asked Mandeltort to reconsider the request in light of the Supreme Court decision. She agreed and found the case against Haddad violated his Second Amendment rights.

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Quinn Signs Bill to Help Ex-Offenders Get Jobs

CHICAGO • Gov. Pat Quinn signed a series of bills Saturday he said will help ex-offenders get jobs so they can stay out of prison.

Quinn, a Democrat, said the measures also will give judges and prosecutors more options for sentencing nonviolent criminals. He noted more than half of Illinois inmates return to prison within three years of release, many

How Gun Laws Work

Illinois lawmakers overrode Gov. Pat Quinn’s veto of concealed carry legislation on Tuesday, but it will likely be 2014 before any firearm owners are permitted to pack handguns in public.

The last state to adopt a concealed carry law, Illinois now has to set about building a bureaucracy to process applications — which could number in the hundreds of thousands in the first year — screening out people with prohibitive criminal records or conditions of mental illness that police believe could make them dangerous if armed.

While gun owners may have questions about how soon they’ll be able to carry guns in public, other state residents may also have questions about where they can expect to find people armed with deadly weapons. And where guns will still be banned.

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Gun debate moves on into Senate

CHICAGO, DOWNSTATE STILL AT ODDS ON ISSUE

SPRINGFIELD — The failure of the Illinois House last week to agree on new gun laws has put the state Senate in the crosshairs when it comes to hammering out a plan to give Illinoisans the right to carry concealed weapons in public.

With an early June deadline looming to comply with a federal court order to bring Illinois in line with 49 other states, the Senate could vote this week on a concealed carry plan designed to bridge the gap between gun control advocates in Chicago and gun rights supporters in downstate Illinois.

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Prosecutors, judges ignore federal ruling against state concealed carry ban

Despite a federal ruling that Illinois’ concealed carry ban is unconstitutional, police, prosecutors and judges alike say they are disregarding the finding and continuing to enforce the law — at least for now.

Police say they continue to arrest those who violate the state’s ban on carrying a gun in public, and prosecutors continue to charge them. Backing up the authorities — but perhaps creating more confusion — a state court ruled last week that the federal decision is not binding on Illinois courts and upheld the nation’s last concealed carry ban as constitutional.

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Illinois Concealed Carry Bill is Filed

A Southern Illinois lawmaker on Tuesday filed a bill to legalize concealed carry in the state.

The Family and Personal Protection Act sponsored by state Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg, would allow licensed residents to carry with certain restrictions loaded or unloaded handguns on their person or in vehicles. Five-year licenses would cost $25 and be issued by the Illinois State Police.

Gun Backers Move to Block AG Madigan

SPRINGFIELD — Gun rights activists asked a federal appeals court Wednesday to reject a request by Illinois’ top attorney for another hearing on a lawsuit that aims to allow Illinoisans to carry loaded weapons in public.

In an 18-page brief filed with the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, attorneys for concealed carry supporters wrote that Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has not provided enough evidence to warrant a hearing on the case by the entire panel of judges that comprise the court.  Click here for the full article.

IL Prisons Reintroducing Early-Release Program

Illinois prisons are preparing to introduce a more restrictive early-release program to replace one that was halted three years ago amid public outcry over inmates serving just fractions of their sentence.

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The Debate:  Gun Laws and the 2nd Amendment

In a recent decision by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, Illinois’ ban on guns was declared unconstitutional and a violation of the 2nd Amendment.  The case, Moore v. Madigan, was decided just days before the Newtown tragedy.

Gun control laws and the right to bear arms issue is a polarizing one.  In the wake of Newtown, some argue that teachers and school personal should be allowed to carry concealed weapons while in school.  Others argue the risk and danger to the students is too great and the availability of firearms is the what caused this tragedy to begin with.What are your thoughts?

Court Invalidates Illinois Gun Law

In a major decision the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals invalidated Illinois’ ban on carrying loaded weapons in public.

The Moore v. Madigan decision was published on December 11, 2012 and the Court gave the legislator 180 days to revise the law – Unlawful Use of a Weapon.  Read more. 

Public Defender Not Guilty of Assaulting Prosecutor

A jury today found a Cook County public defender not guilty of assualting an assistant state’s attorney two years ago in a Chicago courthouse after a hearing in a case in which they were opposing attorneys.

In a First, Illinois Murder Trial Goes Live

A court official says live TV coverage of Northeastern Illinois murder trial is going smoothly.

Elgin Teen Held on Grun Charges

An Elgin teen already on parole has been charged with possession of a stolen firearm following a recent Huntley burglary.

Woman Dies in Domestic-Related Shooting on Northwest Side

A 20 Year old woman was fatally shot in the head in the Craigin neighborhood this morning in what police believe was a domestic-related incident, authorities said.

Antioch-Area Man Charged in Domestic Slaying

An Antioch man has been charged with murder in the death of his teenage daughter’s mother after the daughter called police when the couple had a fight Thursday night, authorities said.

New Jersey Considers “Snookiville Law”

(CNN) – New Jersey towns could soon get help paying the extra costs of having drunken reality show starts wondering their streets.  The proposed “Snookiville Law” would…

Man Charged With Beating, Stabbing Prosecutor in Lakeview

A man has been charged with beating and stabbing a Cook County prosecutor who tried to intervene when he saw two men harassing a couple they thought was gay, authorities said.

Edgar Diaz, 21, of the 5600 block of West Grand Avenue, is charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery, police said.  He was arrested last week and identified by witnesses, police said.

Two Men Held in Wheeling Home Invasion

A cable company employee posing as a service technician is one of two men charged in a home invasion in Wheeling, authorities said.

Police charged Nicholas Puccio, 23, a Comcast sales representative, and Kevin Summers, 32, with home invasion, a felony that carries a sentence of six to 30 years in prison. Cook County Judge Jill Cerone Marisie set bail at $100,000 for Puccio and at $200,000 for Summers during a hearing Friday.

Defense Attorney Matt Fakhoury Gets Charges Dropped in 2011 Carpentersville Drive-By Shooting

Kane County prosecutors dropped attempted murder and other weapons charges against a 24-year-old Carpentersville man accused of firing shots at five people in two separate cars last summer.

Abraham Barajas, of the 0-99 block of Wren Road, spent a few weeks in jail after his July 21, 2011, arrest before posting $7,500 bond.

If he had been convicted of the most severe charges, Barajas could have spent six to 30 years in prison without the possibility of probation.

“He couldn’t believe it. He said it was the best day of his life. He wants to put this behind him,” said defense attorney Matt Fakoury. “There were some holes in the case that I brought to (prosecutors’) attention.”

Fakoury said his office conducted its own investigation and found a third-party witness, who was not available to authorities last summer, who did not place Barajas at the scene or holding the gun. No gun was ever recovered.

Fakoury also said he doubted the credibility of witnesses and argued that Carpentersville police made mistakes in the chain of custody while handling evidence.

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New Laws On Distracted Drivers

Illinois drivers are coming under more pressure to slow down and stay off their cell phones.  Governor Pat Quinn has signed four laws aimed at making roadways safer.

Supreme Court Bars Mandatory Life In Prison For Juveniles Convicted in Murder Cases

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled the Eighth Amendment bars mandatory sentences of life in prison without parole for juveniles convicted of murder.

Justice Elena Kagan wrote the majority opinion. “Mandatory life without parole for those under the age of 18 at the time of their crimes violates the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on ‘cruel and unusual punishments,’ ” Kagan wrote.

Police Misconduct Cases Drag On For Years

A Chicago police officer cracked Greg Larkins’ head open with a baton back in 2006, requiring him to be stitched up at a hospital.  Within a few days, several relatives of Larkins who said they witnessed the allegedly unprovoked attack gave statements to an investigator for the city. His mother also handed over photos of his injuries.Defendant in Record South Elgin Pot Bust Deported Before Trial

South Elgin police were patting themselves on the back last August after the largest marijuana bust in the village’s history netted 600 pounds of pot worth nearly $500,000 on the street.

Illinois House Approves Early Prison Release Plan

Illinois lawmakers are telling Gov. Pat Quinn to reduce prison crowding with a new early release program. The House voted 68-50 Thursday to reinstate sentence credits for prisoners who stay out of trouble behind bars or participate in self-improvement programs.

Madison County Prosecutors Drop Drug Case In Light of Judge’s Ruling

Madison County prosecutors on Thursday dropped a drug-induced homicide case in response to a judge’s decision that ended a trial and freed a defendant in a separate overdose case.

Elgin crime: Roselle woman charged with stabbing 2 at party

November 18, 2009 Police say a Roselle woman stabbed two people at a party in Elgin. Mercedes Valldeperas, 19, of the 0-100 block of Hattendorf Road, is charged with two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Matt Fakhoury said Valldeperas was at a party in the 700 block of Peck Street on Friday when she began kicking and hitting a 27-year-old woman. Valldeperas stabbed the woman and also stabbed a 21-year-old man, Fakhoury said. Valldeperas fled but was caught by police, Fakhoury said.

Man charged in DVD thefts

November 06, 2008 Bail was set today at $40,000 for a Kenosha man accused of stealing DVDs worth $1,000 from a Wal-Mart in Wheeling. Ryan Kane, 26, of the 9000 block of Sheridan Road was charged with two felony counts of retail theft, Assistant State’s Atty. Matt Fakhoury said at a hearing in the Rolling Meadows branch of Cook County Circuit Court. Fakhoury said Kane is accused of taking dozens movies and other entertainment on DVDs on two days in October from the Wal-Mart at 1455 Lake Cook Rd.

As our economy is going bust, bank robberies are booming.

In just the first 44 days of 2008, there were 35 bank robberies in the Chicago area. “Extrapolate that to a year,” says Ross Rice of the FBI’s Chicago bureau, “and it could be another record high.” The current Chicagoland record—284 banks robbed—was set in 2006. …

2nd person charged in abuse of girl

February 03, 2009 Bail was set Tuesday at $200,000 for a northwest suburban woman accused of molesting a 6-year-old girl who was the victim of abuse last year by the woman’s husband, prosecutors said.Elizabeth Garcia, 25, of the 1500 block of Norway Lane in unincorporated Cook County near Palatine, was charged with predatory criminal sexual assault, Assistant State’s Atty. Matt Fakhoury said at a hearing in the Rolling Meadows branch of Cook County Circuit Court. Fakhoury said Garcia was arrested after the girl told a relative that she was molested last month. The woman’s husband, Baldomero Garcia, 27, was charged last year with predatory criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual assault, prosecutors said. Baldomero Garcia was arrested last March, prosecutors said.

Part of hockey or a crime? Trial focuses on where to draw line in sports.

Article from: Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL) | September 19, 2007 | Copyright Byline: Erin Holmes eholmes@dailyherald.com In the midst of an intensely heated third period, authorities say, David Micek turned a Hoffman Estates floor hockey game into a jury question. Raising his stick above his head, Micek delivered an after-the- whistle blow to an opponent in a Sunday morning men’s league game at the Grand Sports Arena, prosecutors say, fracturing the man’s wrist, shattering the bones and causing permanent damage. Micek, 39, of Schaumburg, was hit with two felony counts of aggravated battery. But was it a brutal assault, or just part of the game? Lawyers argued both sides Tuesday, opening a case that …

Palatine man held on $5 million bond in wife’s death

Albert Rumlow did not appear in a Rolling Meadows courtroom Friday for his bond hearing on a charge of murdering his wife. But that didn’t stop the wheels of justice from continuing to turn, or Cook County Judge Kay Hanlon from setting a $5 million bond for Rumlow who police say murdered his wife and then tried to kill himself. Palatine police charged Rumlow, 73, with first degree murder in the death of his 69-year-old wife, Janet, an active member of Palatine’s Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. He remains in Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, recovering from self-inflicted stab wounds. Police say he tried to commit suicide after he stabbed his wife to death Wednesday in their Palatine home on the 1000 block of Grissom Drive.