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Recent Blog Posts
Chicago Releases Gun Trace Report
The city of Chicago has been making headlines across the country due to recent spikes in violent crime. Gun violence remains a major problem throughout the region and law enforcement officials continue to look for ways to combat the issue. As part of that effort, city officials recently conducted extensive research regarding thousands of firearms used in the commission of crimes and recovered by the Chicago Police Department. The findings were released early this week as part of the city’s second “Gun Trace Report.”
Four Years of Recovered Guns
This year’s Gun Trace Report looked at guns seized by the CPD between 2013 and 2016 and compiled as much information about the weapons as officials could find. The data included the types of guns, where they were purchased, who originally purchased them, any subsequent legal purchases, and more. The report also offered suggestions on how to reduce gun violence in the Chicago area.
Bump Stock Ban Fails in Illinois House of Representatives
In the wake of one of the country’s deadliest acts of gun violence, Illinois legislators attempted to pass a bill that would prohibit the use of “bump stocks” and other means for modifying the trigger action of semi-automatic weapons. Officials from both parties objected to all or parts of the bill, which gained only 48 of the necessary 71 votes in favor of passage.
Las Vegas Response
The availability and use of semi-automatic weapons are topics frequently debated by citizens, law enforcement, and elected officials across the country. House Bill 4117 was written after it was learned that the man believed responsible for the recent Las Vegas shooting used a “bump stock” modification to increase the rate of fire on several semi-automatic weapons. It should be noted that law enforcement confirmed that all those weapons were obtained through legal means.
Illinois Man Sentenced to 20 Years for $2 Million Worth of Drugs
The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees citizens the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures conducted by agents of the state, including law enforcement officials. Of course, these rights are constantly being debated as new scenarios and technologies arise. Over the years, courts throughout the country have provided direction regarding when a warrantless search of a person’s car or property is permitted. Most such cases involve the existence of probable cause that a crime is being committed or that the search will yield evidence of a crime. Probable cause can be established in a number of ways, including if the officer detects the distinct odor of an illegal substance. It was exactly this situation that led to the arrest of an Illinois man last November when officers discovered more than $2 million worth of drugs in his car.
Across State Lines
Late last year, a 57-year-old man from Metropolis, Illinois—a small city on the Illinois-Kentucky border—was pulled over for speeding in Carter County, Missouri. During the stop, a sheriff’s deputy smelled what he thought was marijuana and conducted a search of the vehicle. The search uncovered more than 870 pounds of marijuana, 12 pounds of methamphetamine, and two pounds of cocaine, with a total estimated street value of $2.4 million.
Suspect Facing Charges for Pushing Man onto CTA Tracks While Drunk
At one point or another in our lives, we have all made questionable decisions. In some situations, it is reasonable to say that alcohol affected our judgment, but when the decisions in question lead to illegal behavior, having too much to drink is not a valid justification. Alcohol is certainly not an excuse when a person’s conduct places another’s life or physical well-being in jeopardy. This may have been the case a couple of months ago when an apparently intoxicated man allegedly pushed another man onto the tracks at CTA station in downtown Chicago. The victim was not seriously hurt, but the man who reportedly pushed him is now facing several charges including attempted murder and aggravated battery.
An Unpleasant Surprise
The incident occurred in early August when officials say a 34-year-old man jumped a turnstile at the Washington Street station of the CTA Blue Line. According to prosecutors and a surveillance video shown during preliminary hearings, the man appeared to be intoxicated as he stood behind the 46-year-old male victim. The younger man suddenly and without provocation pushed the victim onto the tracks, officials allege. The victim sprained his wrist in the fall and landed inches from the high-voltage third rail. The fallen man tried to get back onto the platform but the suspect reportedly blocked his attempts and pushed his hands away.
Does Medical Marijuana Reduce Opioid Use?
Proponents of marijuana legalization for the treatment of certain medical conditions have contended that, in addition to treating certain symptoms, it would reduce the overuse and abuse of opioid painkillers. Following that logic, it would stand to reason that illegal possession of narcotics could also experience a decline in occurrence.
New Study Provides Some Evidence
The first peer reviewed study reporting on the use of medical marijuana in Illinois appears to demonstrate a reduction in the use of painkillers and other narcotics by those who participated in the small study. Primarily anecdotal in nature, the findings reported in the study indicated:
One Act, One Crime Doctrine
When a person is arrested, it is not uncommon for him or her to face multiple charges related to the circumstances. In Illinois, however, a criminal defendant can only be convicted of one crime that corresponds to a particular action, even if that action could constitute more than one offense. This doctrine was upheld again by an Illinois appellate court as it vacated a conviction earlier this month.
The Case
The case in question was an appeal filed by a man convicted of robbery and aggravated battery of a senior citizen following an incident which occurred in 2009. According to court records, the man punched the 60-year-old victim in the ribs and stole money from the victim who later died. At trial, prosecutors could not prove the defendant was responsible for the victim’s death, but the defendant was found guilty of aggravated battery, aggravated battery of a senior citizen, and robbery. The court combined the two battery charges into a single conviction for aggravated battery of senior citizen, but the robbery charge remained separate. The defendant was sentenced to consecutive prison terms totaling 18 years.
Illinois Traffic Laws for School Buses and Road Maintenance Vehicles
When first learning to drive, some are taught a little rhyme to help them in certain situations. The saying goes, “For sirens and lights, pull to the right.” However, yielding the right of way, slowing down, and even stopping your vehicle is not just for fire trucks, police vehicles, and ambulances, as Illinois traffic laws are in place to protect those who make their living on the roads, as well as their passengers.
Watch Out for School Buses
They typically are big and yellow, so it is hard to imagine a driver failing to notice a stopped school bus. Additionally, the blinking lights and extended stop sign are designed to help motorists follow the laws as they relate to dealing with school buses. Drivers should be sure to follow these rules around school buses:
- Motorists driving in either direction on a two-lane roadway must come to a complete stop when they encounter a school bus stopped to pick up or drop off school children.
Zero Tolerance for Underage Drinking and Driving
Parties, family get-togethers, and spending time with friends; while such events can offer a great deal of fun, they can also create danger when a person who celebrated a little too much gets behind the wheel of a car to drive home. Most adults have some idea of how much is too much, but for those under 21 in Illinois , any level of alcohol intoxication can lead to serious consequences under the state’s Zero Tolerance Law.
For individuals under the age of 21, the consumption of alcohol alone is against the law . A person found guilty of possessing, purchasing, or consuming alcohol underage may have his or driving privileges suspended for up to 6 months for a first conviction. A second conviction results in a year’s suspension, and subsequent offenses will in result in the revocation of the individual’s driver’s license.
An underage person who is found to be driving with alcohol in his or system is subject to prosecution on at least two separate charges, depending on the amount of alcohol. As with a driver over 21, an underage driver operating a motor vehicle with a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher may be charged with driving under influence or DUI. First-time underage offenders face a two-year mandatory license suspension, fines of up to $2,500, and up to a year in prison. A second offense is punishable by up to a five-year revocation of the offender’s license, in addition to fines and prison sentences. Other factors, such as causing an injury or death, DUI without a valid license or insurance, for example, may further increase penalties.
Local Officer Skips Arrest - Offers Kindness Instead
When police officer Mario Valenti responded to an alleged trespassing call from a gym and fitness club in Skokie, he could have taken a hard line. Instead, upon encountering the alleged trespasser—a 15-year-old aspiring basketball player—Valenti opened his wallet and offered the boy an opportunity.
According to the Chicago Tribune and a number of other news outlets, the situation began a few months ago when X-Sport Fitness realized they had a problem with a teen showing up to play basketball without a membership. The gym’s operation manager said that the boy would find clever ways into the facility. “All of our entrances and exits are blocked,” the manager said. “And, sure enough, he would just show up on the basketball court.”
The boy was caught by staff members a few times and was told to leave. An unaccompanied minor without a membership is an insurance liability, and repeated incidents could potential constitute criminal trespassing. In August, the gym made good on its threats to call the police, and Officer Valenti responded.
Illinois BAIID Program Helps DUI Offenders Drive Sooner
When alcohol plays a role in a person’s decision-making, the consequences can range from somewhat embarrassing to possibly deadly. Among the most dangerous alcohol-related decisions one can make is to get behind the wheel of car while intoxicated, a choice that is not only unsafe, but also highly illegal. Those who are caught making such a mistake once , if they were fortunate enough not injure anyone while driving under the influence, may be eligible to participate in Illinois’ BAIID Program, which can reduce the punitive effects of a DUI.
What is a BAIID?
A Blood Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device, or BAIID , is an apparatus which, when installed in a DUI offender’s vehicle, is integrated into the vehicle’s electrical system. Similar to a breathalyzer, a BAIID determines blood alcohol content (BAC) by measuring the alcohol present in a person’s breath. The device, however, will not allow the car to start without the driver first blowing into the BAIID and registering a BAC under the legal limit.
