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Illinois bill would strengthen protections for domestic violence survivors after murder of Jayden Perkins, 11

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Illinois bill would strengthen protections for domestic violence survivors after murder of Jayden Perkins, 11


A measure just passed by Illinois state lawmakers could better protect domestic violence survivors in Illinois.

The Illinois Prisoner Review Board, which is responsible for letting prisoners out on parole, may soon have to undergo mandatory training on domestic violence.

This is in response to the murder of 11-year-old Jayden Perkins, who was stabbed to death while trying to protect his pregnant mother from an attack — allegedly by her ex-boyfriend who was just let out of jail.

After Jayden died, two members resigned by the Illinois Prisoner Review Board. His death is the reason why the board now has an executive director, but lawmakers and domestic violence victims knew they needed to fight for so much more.

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Jayden died a hero — trying to save his mom, Laterria Smith, from her ex-boyfriend, Crosetti Brand, on March 13, 2024.

Prosecutors and police say Brand, who is now on trial in the casewent to Smith and her son’s home and stabbed her in the neck. When Jayden tried to intervene and protect his mother, Brand allegedly stabbed him in the chest.

Jayden’s death at his and his mom’s Edgewater neighborhood apartment should never have happened in the first place.

“It was really a failure in every part of the system in this case,” said Amanda Pyron, chief executive officer of The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence.

Pyron worked with the office of Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Prisoner Review Board to the legislation.

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Smith feared for her life and filed an order of protection against Brand. But the CBS News Chicago Investigators found critical information was not communicated to the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, so Brand was let out on parole.

The next day, Jayden was murdered.

“It doesn’t appear that they were checking for active orders of protection,” Pyron said. “It doesn’t appear that they were checking for pending orders of protection.”

The bill now on its way to Gov. Pritzker’s desk would:

  • Require the Illinois Prisoner Review Board to run a “leads” report on someone up for parole, which contains criminal history, active orders of protection, and any such orders pending.
  • Require the board to publish names of people who violate release terms within 60 days.
  • Require the board to complete 20 hours of training for topics like domestic violence.
  • Require seven board members to have at least five years’ experience in fields like law enforcement.

“It speaks to the need of appropriate procedures that include those voices, that respect those voices, that ensure the safety of survivors who are involved in the system,” said Illinois state Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago).

Cassidy worked months with lawmakers and other activists to pass the bill.

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While there is some relief, Cassidy said there is more work to be done for victims like Jayden and his family, with whom she plans to speak soon.

“I very much am looking forward to be getting a second to be able to share this good news,” Cassidy said.

Brand’s trial is ongoing, and he is representing himself.

Gov. Pritzker’s office said he is planning to sign the bill into law.

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Lake County detectives rescue girl from man they say drove to Illinois from Georgia to meet her

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Lake County detectives rescue girl from man they say drove to Illinois from Georgia to meet her


Detectives from Lake County, Illinois, Sheriff’s office rescued a girl under 14 from a grown man who had traveled from Georgia to meet her this weekend, authorities said Sunday.

At 4:40 a.m. Saturday, Lake County sheriff’s deputies were called to unincorporated Gurnee for a report of a missing girl under the age of 14. Deputies learned the girl had never run away before, and it was especially concerning that she did so in the middle of the night, authorities said.

Sheriff’s detectives learned the girl’s cellphone was not functioning, and she could not be found through any of her electronic devices. Detectives also found that a 24-year-old man from Norcross, Georgia, named Jordy Alexis Fuerte Perez had been communicating with her, authorities said.

Detectives learned that Fuerte Perez had made plans to drive to Illinois from Georgia and pick up the girl, and evidence indicates he told the girl he wanted a “romantic relationship” with her, authorities said.

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Detectives homed in on a vehicle that Fuerte Perez may have been driving, and found the vehicle at the Independence Grove Forest Preserve near Libertyville, authorities said. Both Fuerte Perez and the girl were in the car in a parking lot when detectives arrived at 6 p.m. Saturday, authorities said.

The girl did not appear to be injured, but was taken to the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center for specialized advocacy and attention, authorities said.

Fuerte Perez was charged with two counts of solicitation of child pornography, and one count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, namely cocaine. More charges ar likely, authorities said.

“This type of case is a parent’s worst nightmare.  Our Criminal Investigations Division took this case seriously and worked tirelessly from the moment the girl was reported missing until she was safely located,” Lake County Sherif John Idleburg said in a news release. “While there will undoubtedly be a long road to recovery and healing, I am grateful the victim was found safe and is physically okay.  I am proud of everyone who played a role in rescuing this young girl and bringing the offender to the first steps of justice.”

Fuerte Perez was due in court on Sunday morning. The Lake County State’s Attorney’s office is asking to have him held while awaiting trial.

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Illinois Prison Closure Deepens Small Town’s Fears

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Illinois Prison Closure Deepens Small Town’s Fears



In Lincoln, Ill., another pillar just fell. The New York Times’ Julie Bosman reports that the state plans to close Logan Correctional Center, a women’s prison that employs more than 500 people, stripping the Route 66 town of about 13,000 of one of its last major, stable job sources. State officials say the nearly century-old complex is too deteriorated to fix and will be replaced by a new, modern facility in Crest Hill, outside Chicago. Capitol News Illinois reports the Illinois Department of Corrections estimates it’ll take five years to build the new prison.


In Lincoln, where factories, a glass plant, and even a 157-year-old college have already called it quits, that decision feels like one more hit—and one that favors the Chicago area over downstate. Residents and local leaders, who spent years lobbying to keep the prison, now worry about a fresh wave of departures as families follow jobs elsewhere, further straining schools and small businesses already on the edge. For a look at what the loss of a single prison means for one Midwestern town—which takes particular pride in the fact it was uniquely named for Abraham Lincoln before he became president—read the full piece.

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Illinois GOP chair says Obama Center is political operation on public land | Fox News Video

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Illinois GOP chair says Obama Center is political operation on public land | Fox News Video


Illinois Republican Party Chairman Bob Grogan says the Obama Presidential Center functions as a political operation and headquarters for the Obama Foundation rather than a traditional presidential library. Grogan discusses public land, taxpayer-funded infrastructure, the Center’s endowment shortfall and why critics continue to oppose the project.



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