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Illinois Police Departments Show Troubling Patterns in Use of Traffic Stops
Investigation Finds Chicago Police Officers Routinely Fail to Report Traffic Stops. A recent investigation by a watchdog organization found that Chicago Police officers have routinely failed to document instances of traffic stops that do not end in arrest or charges, as many as 20,000 a month last year, in violation of a 2003 law which mandates that every traffic stop must be documented. This information stands in stark contrast to CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling reporting this past June that traffic stops in Chicago were down by approximately 87,000 stops from last year. What is particularly troubling about these numbers is that rates of traffic stops increased just as the department announced it would move away from the controversial “stop-and-frisk” tactic of patrolling, with some believing the practice is just a replacement to the policy that advocates say violated individuals Fourth Amendment rights. “It is quite concerning, especially if CPD is intentionally not recording traffic stops so they can claim they’re fixing the problem, when all they’re doing is hiding it behind an absence of data,” said Alexandra Block, director of the Criminal Legal System & Policing Project at the ACLU of Illinois. Many advocates believe that officers use minor traffic stops as a pretext to search for drugs and weapons in minority neighborhoods. CPD leadership seems to know that traffic stops present an issue, with Snelling asking that traffic stops be brought under the supervision of the federal courts under the federal consent decree that CPD has been under since 2019. However, advocacy groups remain skeptical about the effectiveness of the consent degree and what change it can bring to drivers who feel they are being profiled and the routine traffic stops are an infringement on their rights.
Temperatures drop slightly, thunderstorms expected this week
Illinoisans are catching a little break from the extreme heat seen earlier this week with temperatures soaring to the 100’s. An Excessive Heat Warning was in effect Tuesday 11am-8pm causing the Danville Consolidated School District to transition to an E-learning day and all outdoor programming sponsored by the Champaign Park District was cancelled.
WATCH: Lightning in Central Illinois spotted from miles away
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Lightning was visible late Tuesday night as storms swept through Illinois, and viewers in several areas shared some videos with WCIA of what they saw. Video from Champaign around 9:50 p.m. WCIA Chief Meteorologist Kevin Lighty said the lightning was from Chicago-area storms more than 100 miles away. If you captured […]
Red Lobster to Potentially Close Three Illinois Locations Amid Nationwide Retreat During Bankruptcy Proceedings
As Red Lobster navigates choppy waters in its ongoing bankruptcy saga, court documents reveal that the seafood chain is shuttering a slew of restaurants across the nation, including three eateries in Illinois. As per NBC Chicago, if a judge approves the latest court filing, the state will see the closure of its Geneva and Bourbonnais locations as well as a Peoria establishment. The last days for these restaurants are not set in stone, but Red Lobster is pushing for lease rejections by Aug. 31.
Report: Forsyth Applebee's closed due to "imminent health hazard"
FORSYTH, Ill. (WAND) — The Applebee's in Forsyth will remain closed until next week after the Macon County Health Department found imminent health hazards, according to a report filed by the Office of Environmental Health. According to a notice hung on the establishment's front door, the restaurant closed Tuesday.
Illinois bill would create board to tackle high prescription drug prices; doctors, patients weigh in
People had plenty to say at a third town hall about the cost of prescription drugs in Illinois on Tuesday."It was insulting. It was insulting to me as an individual. You can't respect my need for those medications, and just think of all this people who don't have that advocacy," said Mary Rothschild, a patient with allergies.ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch"I went through a series of talking to my physician, talking to my insurance company, trying figure out how can I get the medication that's the better medication that I needed," said Lequita Michelle Mathew,...
Credit Building Workshops offered as part of Decatur Homebuyer Initiative
August 28, 2024 – Busey Bank is offering a credit building workshop on Thursday, September 5th, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. as part of the Decatur Homebuyer Initiative. The class is free and being held at City of Praise Church, located at 1415 N Edward Street. The Decatur Homebuyer Initiative is a collaboration aimed at preparing and supporting residents to become homeowners.
Millikin to hold open community auditions for the upcoming stage reading of “A Raisin in the Sun”
August 28, 2024 – Millikin University’s School of Theatre & Dance is inviting community members of all ages to audition for a stage reading of Lorraine Hansberry’s classic “A Raisin in the Sun,” directed by Sandra Brown, on Saturday, August 31 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. in the Center for Theatre & Dance, Room 315.
Union for Decatur school custodians delivers intent to strike
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Custodians at the Decatur School District may go on strike next month. Custodians delivered their 10-day strike notice at the Board of Education meeting Tuesday evening. They have been at the negotiation table bargaining for wage increases since February. Workers have spoken at several Board of Education meetings this year about […]
As IL deals with non-citizen migrants, TX judge blocks Biden’s citizenship plan
(The Center Square) – As Illinois grapples with the influx of non-citizen migrants, a Texas federal judge has blocked the Biden administration’s latest immigration policy. President Joe Biden announced in June a policy that allowed undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens to apply for green cards without leaving the country. The White House estimated that 500,000 people were eligible for the program. Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Springfield, recently attended...
Illinois election integrity advocate raises concerns
(The Center Square) – With elections coming down the pike, an Illinois election integrity advocate is raising concerns. In Illinois, you can request permanent mail-in voting to where the local election official sends out a mail-in ballot for every election. Carol Davis is with the Illinois Election Integrity Program. She said mail-in voting has greater potential for fraud. Davis suggested voters request a mail-in ballot, not a permanent one, and...
Sample pawpaw fruit in September at Allerton Public Library
DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — In September, the University of Illinois Extension office will teach you about the pawpaw tree and even let you sample its banana-like fruit. On September 17th, at 2 p.m., participants will learn about the native tropical fruit for one hour at the Allerton Public Library. They will learn the history of the pawpaw tree, how to grow the fruit at home, and even eat some pawpaw bread.
Decatur fire leaves 3 adults, 3 children displaced
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The Decatur Fire Department is investigating an overnight fire that left six people displaced. The fire happened at Main and Hilton Streets around 6:30 p.m. Department officials said it started in a bedroom; smoke detectors alerted the people living there and they were all able to escape. Firefighters arrived to find […]
City of Decatur welcomes new patrol officers to the force
August 28, 2024 – The Decatur Police Department welcomed five new patrol officers at a swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday, as well as two lateral transfers that have already started working officially for the DPD. New officers include Tyler Byers, a Richland and Millikin graduate who has been working at...
Home security cameras can help local law enforcement
(CAPITOL CITY NOW) -Area law enforcement agencies are encouraging residents to register home security cameras to help in police investigations. By voluntarily registering cameras, homeowners can assist by providing potential video evidence. The Springfield Police Department currently offers community camera registry at syncspringfield.org. According to SPD, registering a home camera,...
Cyclones Rally for Home Opener Win Against Lincoln
Sacred Heart-Griffin defeated Lincoln in their volleyball home opener on Tuesday. The Railers took the first set and were within four points of taking the match. A five point scoring run from SHG’s Kendall Stotler changed the momentum, propelling the Cyclones to take the final two sets. With the win, the Cyclones also take their first match of CS8 play.
Cyclones Start Conference Play with Victory Over Railers
Sacred Heart Griffin picked up a 6-1 Central State Eight victory on Tuesday as they hosted Lincoln. Thomas Davis and Thomas Garst scored two goals a piece for the Cyclones. SHG will host St Theresa on Thursday while Lincoln host Pleasant Plains on the same night.
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