Illinois Supreme Court halts abolition of cash bail
The justices issued their order Saturday evening, hours before the new law was slated to take effect, to maintain the status quo across the state.
-
-
Judge invalidates cash bail reform in some counties; Supreme Court appeal pending
Bail will still end in counties that didn’t sue, containing about two-thirds of state’s population.
-
Critics expect chaos under Illinois bail ban despite ruling
Critics of a law to eliminate cash bail in Illinois starting Sunday fear a judge’s ruling that the plan is unconstitutional will create a chaotic system of pretrial release unless urgent action is taken.
-
5 takeaways from the final Jan. 6 committee hearing
WASHINGTON — The congressional committee investigating the deadly Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol referred former President Donald Trump for four criminal charges related to an insurrection that he inspired because he couldn’t publicly accept that he’d lost an election. In the face of it all, that former president already announced he is running…
-
Bond set at $50K for father of July 4 shooting suspect
CHICAGO — A judge set bond at $50,000 for the father of an Illinois man charged with killing seven people in a mass shooting at a July 4 parade near Chicago who faces charges himself for allegedly helping his son get a gun license. The judge set bond during an initial appearance Saturday by Robert…
-
Lawmakers hear more pleas for assault weapon ban
SPRINGFIELD – A legislative committee on Thursday heard more witnesses call for a ban on high-power, semi-automatic rifles and large-capacity magazines, but some experts said that alone won’t solve the problem of violent crime in Illinois. During its second hearing on a proposed assault weapon ban, an Illinois House committee, meeting in Chicago, heard from…
-
CVS and Walgreens agree to pay $10 billion to settle lawsuits linked to opioid sales
WASHINGTON — CVS and Walgreens have agreed to pay more than $10 billion to several states in a settlement of lawsuits brought against them alleging their roles in the opioid crisis. CVS would pay nearly $5 billion over 10 years, while Walgreens would pay $5.7 billion over 15 years, according to statements released by state…
-
Champaign Co. Public Defender says SAFE-T Act will have little effect on jail population
URBANA — The new Champaign County Public Defender takes over an office with many challenges, but Elisabeth Pollock thinks she’s up to the task. The Urbana native spent the last decade in the U.S. Public Defender’s office before taking the oath for her new office on Monday. Listen to this story here. In a wide…
-
WNBA star Brittney Griner has been freed from a Russian prison
WASHINGTON — President Biden says WNBA star Brittney Griner has been freed from a Russian prison. “Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner. She is safe. She is on a plane. She is on her way home,” he wrote on Twitter. Russia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the swap in a press release to agencies that Griner…
-
Jan. 6 ‘heroes’ honored for defending Capitol from Trump mob
WASHINGTON — Top House and Senate leaders have bestowed Congress’ highest honor on law enforcement officers who defended the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The Congressional Gold Medals were presented Tuesday in a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda, which was overrun that day nearly two years ago by supporters of then-President Donald Trump in…
-
Inspector General slams Pontiac prison workplace culture
PONTIAC — A scathing report from the State Executive Inspector General show a climate of hazing and sexual discrimination created a hostile work environment at the state prison in Pontiac, including stating there is reason for disciplinary action against 10 employees for discriminating against a guard who was perceived to be gay. The guard was…
-
Pretrial detention changes to SAFE-T Act will head to governor
SPRINGFIELD – Lawmakers on Thursday passed a long-awaited amendment to the SAFE-T Act criminal justice reform’s provisions that will eliminate cash bail when the calendar hits 2023. The measure expands the list of crimes for which a judge can order pretrial detention, adds to what a judge can consider when determining if a defendant is…
-
Illinois Democrats propose banning assault weapons and raising age for gun ownership
Democrats say they hope to pass the massive legislation, which comes in response to the Highland Park shooting, in the lame duck session in January. SPRINGFIELD — Illinois House Democrats plan to introduce a massive gun control bill that would outlaw the sale of assault weapons and prevent most residents under 21 from legally buying…
-
States will get billions in opioid settlement dollars. How will they spend it?
Legal battles have waged for years to force drug companies to pay for their role in America’s opioid epidemic. Finally, in landmark settlements over the last year, thousands of states, counties and local governments have won more than $50 billion from opioid makers, prescription drug distributors and pharmacies. But now these 3,000 state and local…
-
Contempt citations against DCFS director reversed by appellate court
An appellate court on Wednesday reversed several contempt of court citations that were filed in recent months against Department of Children and Family Services Director Marc Smith for failing to comply with court orders to place state wards in appropriate settings. The court found that Smith did not willfully ignore a Cook County judge’s order…
