Why Chicago is shuttering anti-violence programs amid spike in shootings - CSMonitor.com

 

It might be politics as usual, but to some it’s a matter of life and death.

A prominent Chicago anti-violence program has lost its funding due to a political stalemate in the Illinois state government. 

Operation CeaseFire deployed former gang members and felons to intervene in confrontations that can often lead to violence. It was brought to national prominence by the 2011 documentary “The Interrupters.” Researchers say gang involvement, shootings, and retaliatory killings have dropped since the introduction of the program.

 

When Illinois began running out of money because of a severe state budget deficit, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner froze money for the anti-violence program. CeaseFire was cut off before it could receive all $4.7 million it was allocated for the previous fiscal year.

Governor Rauner and Democrats, who control the legislature, are waging a political battle over the state budget while programs in Chicago and elsewhere are shuttered.

Chicago is grappling with gun violence nearly unmatched by any other city in the United States. Shootings and homicides are up 20 percent in the Midwest city compared to this time last year.

"Our kids in our communities are still dying," Autry Phillips told the Associated Press. He is the executive director of Target Area Development, a nonprofit organization on Chicago's South Side that was forced to end its CeaseFire program. "We're going to do what we can do, but we need funding. That's the bottom line."

Before this current freeze in funding, Rauner proposed cutting CeaseFire’s budget by nearly $3 million. A spokeswoman for the governor held Democrats responsible, citing their opposition to Rauner’s business-friendly agenda, which includes weakening labor unions. Rauner is a first time office holder and former venture capitalist.

"The governor has asked for structural reforms to free up resources to balance the budget, help the most vulnerable and create jobs," spokeswoman Lyndsey Walters said earlier this week. "Unfortunately, the majority party continues to block the governor's reforms and refuses to pass a balanced budget."

After Chicago police criticized the program because they said the staff wasn’t collaborating with law enforcement, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel in 2013 canceled a one-year, $1 million contract for CeaseFire programs in two neighborhoods.

Today, six Chicago neighborhoods still have CeaseFire programs, while more than 12 have closed in nearby communities because of funding

Why Chicago is shuttering anti-violence programs amid spike in shootings - CSMonitor.com

Crime in America 2015: Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities Under 200,000 | Law Street (TM)

 

Crime in America 2015: Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities Under 200,000

Image of Little Rock courtesy of Nicolas Henderson via Flickr.

Little Rock, Arkansas is the #1 Most Dangerous City in the United States according to data released today by the FBI. Overall violent crime in Little Rock increased nearly seven percent over the course of 2013–the latest year for which the FBI has published data. Rockford, Illinois and New Haven, Connecticut switched positions this year to #2 and #2, respectively. Flint, Michigan, last year’s #1 Most Dangerous City, is not ranked this year as its population according to the FBI dropped 59 people below the 100,000-person threshold to rank. Look at the list below to see the full Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in America under 200,000, and click here to see full Crime in America 2015 coverage.

Click here to view a slideshow of the Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities Over 200,000.

#1 Little Rock, Arkansas

Little Rock, Arkansas is the #1 Most Dangerous Small City in America. Little Rock has moved up by four spots to #1 on the list after coming in at #5 last year. The city’s overall violent crime rose from approximately 1,315/100,000 people in 2012 to 1,407/100,000 people in 2013; this increase is responsible for Little Rock’s rise on the list. However, there may be some good news. While Little Rock’s overall violent crime rate is up, the murder rate is down by almost 22 percent.

Violent Crime Rate: 1,407/100,000 people | Murder Rate: 18/100,000 people

Population: 197,399 | Officer to Population Ratio: 1:354

Median Household Income: $45,135 | Pop. Below Poverty Line: 18.2%

Rank last year: #5

#2 Rockford, Illinois

Rockford, Illinois is the #2 Most Dangerous City with a population under 200,000, moving up from its position at #3 last year. Most notably, Rockford’s murder rate has more than doubled since last year, when the ratio was 5.91/100,000 people. Last year Rockford saw 9 murders, this year they reported 19. Unfortunately, Rockford’s report of 19 this year was more on par with what the city has seen in recent years; last year’s 9 murders was a notable abnormality.

Violent Crime Rate: 1,375/100,000 people | Murder Rate: 13/100,000 people

Population: 150,209 | Officer to Population Ratio: NA

Median Household Income: $38,157 | Pop. Below Poverty Line: 25.1%

Rank last year: #3

#3 New Haven, Connecticut

New Haven, Connecticut is the #3 Most Dangerous City with a population under 200,000.  It moved down from its position last year at #2. The first of two Connecticut cities in the top small dangerous cities, New Haven is often viewed as marred by extreme economic inequality. However, New Haven is getting better overall. While the murder rate increased marginally, the overall violent crime rate is down by almost 13 percent.

Violent Crime Rate: 1,254/100,000 people | Murder Rate: 14/100,000 people

Population: 131,071 | Officer to Population Ratio: 340:1

Median Household Income: $38,482 | Pop. Below Poverty Line: 26.9%

Rank last year: #2

#4 Hartford, Connecticut

Hartford, Connecticut maintains its position as the #4 Most Dangerous City in America for the second year in a row. Hartford’s number of murders–23–remained stagnant. However, Connecticut’s capital did have some good news in the form of a small decrease in the overall violent crime rate. Violent crimes in Hartford decreased by about 11 percent.

Violent Crime Rate: 1,179/100,000 people | Murder Rate: 18/100,000 people

Population: 124,927 | Officer to Population Ratio: 275:1

Median Household Income: $28,931 | Pop. Below Poverty Line: 33.9%

Rank last year: #4

#5 Springfield, Missouri

Springfield, Missouri makes its debut this year as the #5 Most Dangerous City with a population under 200,000. Springfield’s presence on the list can mostly be attributed to the large jump in violent crime that the city saw this year. Previously, the violent crime rate was 992/100,000 people, representing a 17 percent increase. Part of the dramatic increase can be attributed to the new definition of rape employed by the FBI statistics. Last year, Springfield reported 141 rapes, this year the city saw that nearly double to 281.

Violent Crime Rate: 1,162/100,000 people | Murder Rate: 7/100,000 people

Population: 163,062 | Officer to Population Ratio: 516:1

Median Household Income: $33,379 | Pop. Below Poverty Line: 24.0%

Rank last year: #14

#6 Springfield, Massachusetts

Springfield, Massachusetts is the #6 Most Dangerous City in the United States, moving up four spots from its rank last year of #10. Springfield moved so quickly up the list because its murder rate essentially doubled from 7.1/100,000 to 14/100,000. While the violent crime rate only increased a small amount, about 5%, the dramatic increase in murders is certainly concerning.

Violent Crime Rate: 1,089/100,000 people | Murder Rate: 14/100,000 people

Population: 153,586 | Officer to Population Ratio: 347:1

Median Household Income: $35,163 | Pop. Below Poverty Line: 28.7%

Rank Last Year: #10

#7 Paterson, New Jersey

Paterson, New Jersey makes its debut on the list of Most Dangerous Cities with a population under 200,000 at #7. It was not among the Top 10 last year. Surprisingly, Paterson’s violent crime rate only increased slightly, by about 2 percent. However, while other cities in last year’s top 10 saw their crime go down, a 2 percent increase was enough to land Paterson on the list.

Violent Crime Rate: 1,072/100,000 people | Murder Rate: 12/100,000 people

Population: 145,082 | Officer to Population Ratio: 397:1

Median Household Income: $33,538 | Pop. Below Poverty Line: 27.6%

Rank last year: Not in the top 10

#8 Lansing, Michigan

Lansing, Michigan makes its debut on the list of Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities with a population under 200,000 at #8. It was not among the Top 10 last year. Lansing saw a 12 percent increase in crime, which bumped them up to #8 on the list. Despite the overall rise in violent crime, Lansing’s murder rate actually fell significantly, from 11.33/100,000 to 7/100,000. That means that most of Lansing’s increase came from other violent crimes, including robbery and aggravated assault.

Violent Crime Rate: 1,057/100,000 people | Murder Rate: 7/100,000 people

Population: 113,907 | Officer to Population Ratio: 616:1

Median Household Income: $48,471 | Pop. Below Poverty Line: 16.3%

Rank last year: #21

#9 Beaumont, Texas

Beaumont, Texas makes its debut as the #9 Most Dangerous City in America with a population under 200,000. It was not in the Top 10 last year. Beaumont squeaked into the top 10 with a very small increase in overall crime–around .42 percent. One notable increase that Beaumont saw was a small uptick in their murder rate. Last year, Beaumont’s murder rate was approximately 10/100,000 people.

Violent Crime Rate: 1,037/100,000 people | Murder Rate: 14/100,000 people

Population: 118,177 | Officer to Population Ratio: 467

Median Household Income: $40,765 | Pop. Below Poverty Line: 22.3%

Rank last year: #11

#10 Richmond, California

Richmond, California is the #10 Most Dangerous City with a population under 200,000 in the United States. It was ranked #7 last year. Richmond fell three spots because of its overall decrease in violent crime by about 5 percent. In addition, their murder rate fell slightly, from almost 17/100,000 to 15/100,000.

Violent Crime Rate: 1,036/100,000 people | Murder Rate: 15/100,000 people

Population: 107,341 | Officer to Population Ratio: 577:1

Median Household Income: $54,657 | Pop. Below Poverty Line: 17.9%

Rank last year: #7

Crime in America 2015: Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities Under 200,000 | Law Street (TM)

Belvidere police arrest 16-year-old after Starbucks holdup - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

 

BELVIDERE — A 16-year-old male is accused of holding up a Belvidere Starbucks on Thursday night.

At 5:30 p.m. Belvidere Police officers and Boone County sheriff's deputies responded to an armed robbery call at the Starbucks in the 1900 block of Gateway Center Drive. According to a statement released by the Belvidere Police Department, the teenage suspect showed Starbucks employees a handgun, took an unspecified amount of cash and ran away.

Police say he was arrested within minutes of the robbery by a Boone County Sheriff's deputy who was already in the area.

A handgun believed to be used in the robbery was recovered at the scene.

No injuries were reported.

Armed robbery is a class x felony, punishable by 6 to 30 years in the Department of Corrections.

The Belvidere Police Department is investigating the incident. The teen is being held at the Winnebago County Juvenile Detention Center.

Anyone with information regarding a crime or drug trafficking is encouraged to call the Belvidere Police Department at 815-544-2135 or Crime Stoppers at 815-547-7867.

Belvidere police arrest 16-year-old after Starbucks holdup - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

BCJ Criticizes Lack of Accounting Audit in Circuit Court Clerk Office Crime

 

 

The Boone County Journal is available free of cost at merchants across the county and on-line at:  http://www.boonecountyjournal.com/news/2015/Boone-County-News-01-09-15.pdf#page=1

THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT REGARDING  THIS EDITORIAL WAS PUBLISHED BY THE BOONE COUNTY JOURNAL on January 16, 2015.

Above is from:  http://www.boonecountyjournal.com/news/2015/Boone-County-News-01-16-15.pdf#page=1

Crime Stoppers of Boone County

Belvidere Culver's employee charged with identity theft, 80 victims - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

Jennifer Wheeler

Leads from victims and business owners led authorities to the 1800 block of Crestwood Avenue in Rockford where authorities executed a search warrant. There, officers seized computer equipment, an electronic credit card writer, blank credit cards, receipts, drug paraphernalia, cannabis and a vehicle.

Authorities said they believe that Peck obtained credit and debit card numbers while working the drive-thru window. Police say they believe there were more than 80 victims who collectively lost thousands of dollars in the past 60 days.

On Thursday, police examined the computer that was seized during the search warrant and were able to obtain a list of potential victims. Officers will be making contact with each one.

Click on the following for more detail:  Belvidere Culver's employee charged with identity theft, 80 victims - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

Crime rate in Belvidere, Illinois (IL): murders, rapes, robberies, assaults, burglaries, thefts, auto thefts, arson, law enforcement employees, police officers statistics

Above is from:  Crime rate in Belvidere, Illinois (IL): murders, rapes, robberies, assaults, burglaries, thefts, auto thefts, arson, law enforcement employees, police officers statistics

Boone County’s half cent sales tax for the Jail

Boone County Government’s website has a summary of the history of this sales tax.  The following are excerpts from that site which is at:  http://www.boonecountyil.org/sites/default/files/pubsafety%20sales%20tax.pdf

First, the actual ballot resolution

Click on the photocopy to enlarge:

The Boone County Board’s 1999 published statement regarding the referendum issue.

Beginning in FY 2004 (12-1-2003 to 11-30-2004) the county began using the sales tax for items related to jail operations but not related to bond repayment.  Note the FY 2001 numbers were only for part of the year.  See below:

For FY 2011, a very large use of Jail sales tax was actually authorized.  See Ordinance 10-35 below. The county proposed very large operational expenses for the sales tax, gradually reducing it until it was projected to stop in 2018 with the final payment on the jail bonds.

The half cent PSB sales tax is budgeted to be $1,358,000 for the current year and is running slightly greater than that projection.  The highest PSB tax receipts was in 2008 when $1,653,891 was received. See below:

The county is currently refinancing the Jail Bonds to obtain a lower interest rate.  Annual principle repayment on the new bonds will range from $530,000 to $575,000 each year. Annual interest on the bond will be less than $150,000 each year and falling. So something approaching $700,000 will be available for PSB related operating expenses.  See draft version of bond repayment schedule shown below:

The major questions are:

 1. Will the county really abide by Ordinance 10-35 or will it use more than stated sales tax revenue for PSB operating expenses?

2.  Will the county really end the sales tax in 2018, if so how will it make up for the loss of income for PSB operating expenses?

Editor’s note:  It may seem that the county is cash rich because its PSB sales tax can so readily pay for its construction bonds.  The reality is quite different.  The county is quite cash strapped and in past years has curtailed levies for highway and bridges and the health departments so has to increase the county’s real estate levy for its general fund and still abide by tax caps.

Supreme Court Ruling Prompts FBI to Turn Off 3,000 Tracking Devices - Yahoo! News

 

When the decision-U.S. v. Jones-was released at the end of January, agents were ordered to stop using GPS devices immediately and told to await guidance on retrieving the devices, FBI general counsel Andrew Weissmann said in a recent talk at a University of San Francisco conference.  Weissmann said the court's ruling lacked clarity and the agency needs new guidance or it risks having cases overturned.

The Jones case stemmed from the conviction of night club owner Antoine Jones on drug charges. Law enforcement had used a variety of techniques to link him to co-conspirators in the case, including information gathered from a GPS device that was placed on a Jeep primarily used by Jones

Supreme Court Ruling Prompts FBI to Turn Off 3,000 Tracking Devices - Yahoo! News

Woodstock man linked to several burglaries

Much more than several. 

A Woodstock man is facing 41 charges after police said they linked him to several burglaries during which landscaping equipment, jewelry and power tools were taken.

Click on the following for more details:  Northwest Herald | Woodstock man linked to several burglaries

Rockford Judge To Hear McHenry County State's Attorney Misconduct Case

Indicted two weeks ago on charges of conspiracy, official misconduct and communicating with a Grand Jury witness

[Lou Bianchi’s case will be heard] … by 17th Circuit Court Judge Joseph McGraw whether he will come to Woodstock or make everyone else go to his Rockford courtroom.  The only thing that was clear Friday was the next court date, Oct. 22.

Click on the following for more of the details:  FirstElectricNewspaper: Rockford Judge To Hear State's Attorney Misconduct Case

Daily Herald | More victims in debit card fraud at Aldi stores

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More victims in debit card fraud at Aldi stores

At least 30 St. Charles residents have come forward since Sept. 16, fraud have surfaced in other suburbs and in Indiana. Wheeling had more than 160 reports of such thefts, and Buffalo Grove more than 50.

Daily Herald | More victims in debit card fraud at Aldi stores

DuPage judge faces removal afer hit-and-run crash :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Chicago Crime

 

DuPage County judge fined and placed on probation for a June hit-and-run crash with a parked car now faces disciplinary action that could result in his removal from the bench.

The veteran, 59-year-old judge struck a parked car with his 2003 Jeep, but didn’t stop or report the crash.

Instead, he continued driving to his Wheaton home, at one point forcing a 13-year-old jogger to abruptly jump out of the way of his vehicle, authorities said following the crash.

 

Popejoy has been on the bench since 1997 and faces a retention vote this fall to retain his seat.

DuPage judge faces removal afer hit-and-run crash :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Chicago Crime

Man arrested in beating of Rockford quarry co-owner - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

 Stephen J. Keegan was arrested late Friday afternoon at 1315 Geneva Ave. in Rockford on charges of aggravated battery.

He is being held in the Boone County Jail on $50,000 bond.
Schlichting is co-owner of Schlichting & Sons Excavating.

The relationship between Keegan and Schlichting is unknown. Boone County sheriff’s officials failed to return phone calls to the Register Star about the case.

Man arrested in beating of Rockford quarry co-owner - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Arrest Made in Brutal Beating of Bruce Schlichting

Investigators arrested 60-year old Stephen Keegan last night for aggravated battery. He's at the Boone county jail on $50,000 bond.

Click on the following for more details:  Arrest Made in Brutal Beating of Belvidere Man - MyStateLine.com

Play the video from Channel 39--it also has additional details.

Boone County businessman beaten - WREX.com – Rockford’s News Leader

 

BOONE COUNTY (WREX) - The Boone County Sheriff's Department investigates the near-death beating of an area businessman.   Bruce Schlichting was found badly hurt in a wooded area off his driveway at 9111 Huber Road in Boone County, Wednesday.  The sheriff's department say he was flown to OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in critical condition.  He's one of the owners of Schlichting and Sons.   Police say they have a person of interest in the case but no one's been arrested yet.

Click on the following for more details:  Boone County businessman beaten - WREX.com – Rockford’s News Leader

Disbarred attorney accused of practicing law

 

Timothy F. Eddy continued practicing law - despite losing his license more than eight years ago - after pretending to be another man with whom he once worked.

Ironically, a search of state records shows the other attorney whose identity was stolen also does not have a valid license as of this year because he failed to complete his continuing legal education requirements.

Click on the following for more details:  Daily Herald | Disbarred attorney accused of practicing law

Two senators subpoena Obama administration for information on Fort Hood shootings

 

Sens. Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) issued the first congressional subpoenas of the Obama administration Monday after accusing the White House of stonewalling their requests for information about the Fort Hood shootings

Click on the following for more details:   Two senators subpoena Obama administration for information on Fort Hood shootings

Clout St: State Supreme Court rules no pension for jailed George Ryan

Illinois Supreme Court today ruled that imprisoned ex-Gov. George Ryan should not get get any of his state pension because of his federal conviction on political corruption charges.

The 6-1 decision means Ryan, who turns 76 next week, won't be able to start collecting about $5,900 a month, or around $71,000 a year.

Ryan retired with a $150,691 salary as governor, but his 36 years climbing the ladder of local and state politics allowed him to collect about $200,000 a year until he was convicted

Madigan's argument was simple. Ryan should lose the whole pension because he was a member of the same state pension system before and after his crimes. He had shifted his pension credits from the nearly six years in county government to the state pension after joining the legislature in 1972.

pension payments had stopped in September 2006…Ryan received $235,500 from the pension system when his pension was voided, representing personal contributions he made to the retirement fund over the years

Click on the following for more details and references for the legal briefs on the subject:  Clout St: State Supreme Court rules no pension for jailed George Ryan

Stephenson County Sales tax defeated: Two incumbent County Board members lose by narrow margins

that 4,423 residents, or 72.83 percent, voted against the tax increase, while only 1,650 residents, or 27.17 percent, voted in favor of the proposal….Supporters of the increase had hoped to use the estimated $1.2 to $1.5 million in additional annual revenue to provide much-needed funding for public safety and, specifically, the sheriff’s office, which was recently hit hard by staff cuts.

Sales tax defeated: Two incumbent County Board members lose by narrow margins - Freeport, IL - The Journal-Standard