Illinois
Illinois Democrats acknowledge ‘tweaks’ to SAFE-T Act language could be made following public outcry
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker lately acknowledged that adjustments to the language of the controversial SAFE-T Act, which eliminates money bail and makes adjustments to policing, may must be made following public outcry throughout the state however one crime knowledgeable advised Fox Information Digital that isn’t sufficient.
“One factor I believe is cheap is there are individuals who don’t perceive the SAFE-T Act and are misrepresenting it,” Pritzker, a Democrat, mentioned throughout a marketing campaign occasion final week. “So making adjustments to the language is such, so that individuals will perceive.”
Pritzker added that he’s “prepared to contemplate tweaks to the laws” that has drawn pushback from politicians and legislation enforcement officers statewide, together with from 100 of the 102 states attorneys in Illinois.
“The laws is about offering instruments and know-how to police, ensuring we’re funding them, and ensuring we maintain the murderers, rapists and home abusers in jail,” Pritzker mentioned.
ILLINOIS MAYOR DROPS HAMMER ON NEW STATE LAW ELIMINATING CASH BAIL: ‘MASSIVE THREAT’
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker listens to audio system throughout a transgender assist rally in Chicago on April 27, 2022.
(Scott Olson/Getty Photographs)
Illinois Democratic State Sen. Scott Bennett lately proposed a tweak to the invoice that can be debated in November. It will increase a decide’s discretion to maintain a suspect in custody if the decide believes the person is a flight threat or hazard to others.
“As a former prosecutor, I perceive the significance of presuming innocence for people earlier than being confirmed responsible, supporting police and holding violent criminals out of our neighborhoods,” Bennett mentioned in a press release. “Senate Invoice 4228 is an effort to enhance consistency within the SAFE-T Act and permit legislation enforcement officers to proceed to successfully carry out their duties and shield our communities.”
Zack Smith, a authorized fellow and supervisor of the Supreme Court docket and Appellate Advocacy Program within the Edwin Meese III Middle for Authorized and Judicial Research at The Heritage Basis, advised Fox Information Digital that tweaking the language of the invoice isn’t a lot the issue because the invoice itself.
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Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker attends a fundraiser luncheon.
(Scott Olson/Getty Photographs))
“I believe the issue is that individuals perceive it completely fantastic and what the plain language of the invoice says is disastrous,” Smith mentioned. “So this concept that individuals have in some way misunderstood it, notably native elected states attorneys who can be charged with implementing the laws, is wealthy coming from the governor.”
Smith identified the timing of the acknowledgment that tweaks might be made shortly earlier than the looming midterm elections, whereas additionally noting that Bennett’s change received’t be thought-about till November.
ILLINOIS MAYOR RIPS GOV. PRITZKER OVER ELIMINATING CASH BAIL: ‘HE IS NOT LISTENING TO US’
“It’s important to surprise if that is type of a cynical ploy to placate voters within the lead as much as the midterms that can type of drop off the radar after these elections happen,” Smith mentioned.
Smith added that the adjustments mandatory to make sure the invoice retains folks secure finally make a totally new invoice extra sensible.
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The SAFE-T Act has been slammed by critics who say that the invoice, signed into legislation final yr and which absolutely takes impact in January, will abolish money bail, additional handcuff police, and launch folks presently incarcerated from jail.
“I do know the governor disputes this however there are presently incarcerated people who’re going to be launched when this invoice takes impact,” Smith mentioned. “So that you’re speaking about not solely the potential software of this, but in addition the fast flood of individuals which can be going to be launched again onto the streets statewide when this invoice takes impact. And that, I might say, goes to have a really adverse impression on public security in Illinois.”
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Supporters of the invoice say it addresses prolonged incarceration for low-income residents that they argue is disproportionately affecting minority communities.
“We’d be ending wealth-based jailing and restoring the presumption of innocence within the courtroom, which is one thing that’s actually below fireplace and it’s not valued below our present system,” Kareem Butler, pretrial justice fellow of the Chicago Appleseed Middle for Truthful Courts, mentioned in regards to the laws.
Gov. Pritzker’s workplace didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark from Fox Information Digital.
Illinois State Rep. Patrick Windhorst, a Republican who voted towards the measure, advised “Fox & Mates First” final month that some preliminary supporters of the invoice have come to remorse the vote to finish money bail.
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The Chicago skyline, from outdoors the Adler Planetarium
(Raymond Boyd/Getty Photographs)
“I do know a number of individuals who voted for it have had second ideas and realized simply what precisely this invoice goes to do,” Windhorst mentioned. “This was one provision in an over 700-page invoice that handed within the waning hours of the final Normal Meeting, was actually pushed via in the previous couple of hours. So lots of people who voted for it did not understand what was in it.”
Windhorst added, “My concern is that is going to have an amazing impression on public security and in a adverse method, and goes to result in extra crime in our communities, notably violent crime. We have seen some variations of bail reform in Illinois over the past 4 or 5 years, and what’s occurred when these went into impact is crime has gone up over that time period.”
Nearly 2 million eligible Illinois residents will be able to file their 2024 federal tax returns for free using a new IRS program.
State officials announced that Illinois will participate in the IRS Direct File service which begins on Jan. 27.
Direct File was first launched as a test program last year. This year, the program will become a permanent option with participation in 25 states.
A simplified process
The IRS estimates that more than 30 million people will be eligible to use the program during the 2025 tax filing season.
State officials said the IRS Direct File option will simplify the filing process for eligible taxpayers.
“We understand that a significant amount of time and money is spent every year to ensure personal income tax returns are filed accurately and on time,” said David Harris, the director of the Illinois Department of Revenue, in a statement. “This integration will help relieve stress and financial burden for taxpayers.”
Direct File is an online service that’s available on mobile phones, laptops, tablets or desktop computers.
The service provides a checklist and a guide to help navigate the process. Users will have access to a chatbot for guidance in both English and Spanish.
For more information on eligibility and how to use the service, visit irs.gov/filing/irs-direct-file-for-free.
(25News Now) – An Illinois State Police trooper was hurt in a five-vehicle crash Saturday morning in the Chicago suburb of South Barrington, but there are conflicting reports about the severity of the trooper’s injuries.
State Police said the trooper was heading to an accident scene to help with traffic control at Illinois Route 59 and Higgins Road. Police said the trooper activated his emergency lights and sirens, but was struck by another vehicle at the intersection about 9:45 a.m.
The trooper suffered critical injuries, according to a release from the East Dundee and Countryside Fire Protection District, but State Police said the trooper’s injuries were not life-threatening.
The fire department said it took almost a half-hour to extricate the trooper from his heavily damaged vehicle.
Authorities said two people from other vehicles were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
State Police are investigating.
Saturday’s accident happened less than a month after State Police Trooper Clay Carns was killed in a crash on I-55 in Will County.
The 35-year-old officer left his squad car to pick up debris from the roadway when he was struck by a passing pickup truck two days before Christmas. The truck’s 69-year-old driver was cited for not moving over to avoid hitting Trooper Carns.
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Desmond Claude scored a season-high 31 points to lead USC to an 82-72 win over No. 13 Illinois on Saturday in Champaign.
Wesley Yates III had 15 points — shooting 7 of 8 from the field — while Rashaun Agee had 13 points and eight rebounds for the Trojans (10-6, 2-3 Big Ten).
Illinois (12-4, 4-2) had a five-game winning streak snapped. Ben Humrichous had 15 points, while Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn and Tre White each scored 11.
Kasparas Jakucionis, the Illini’s leading scorer, missed his second straight game because of a forearm injury suffered Jan. 5 against Washington.
Takeaways
Illinois: The Illini have gotten off to a slow start in each game without Jakucionis. They trailed Penn State by six points early Wednesday before winning 91-52. They were down by nine points early to USC and never did get their offense going without their scoring and assist leader. They were 7 of 32 on 3-pointers.
USC: The Trojans didn’t get to the free-throw line very often. They were 9 of 11 on foul shots to Illinois’ 19 of 21. But they shot 52% to Illinois’ 37% and outrebounded the Illini 37-34. Illinois came into the game averaging 45.9 rebounds per game, best in the nation.
Key moment
The game was tied at 57 with 8:46 left. USC went on a 13-3 run to move in front 70-60 with 5:12 to go and Illinois didn’t threaten after that.
Key stat
Claude shot 12 for 20 from the field and made all seven of his free throws. Agee also was a shooting star. The graduate student sank three triples after making two all season and six in his career.
Up next
Southern California hosts Iowa on Tuesday night.
Illinois visits Indiana on Tuesday night.
Saint Joseph’s 93, Loyola 57
Xzayvier Brown scored 20 points as Saint Joseph’s rolled to a 93-57 victory over Loyola on Saturday in Philadelphia.
Brown went 8 of 16 from the field (3 for 6 from 3-point range) for the Hawks (11-6, 3-2 Atlantic 10 Conference). Derek Simpson added 19 points and six rebounds. Erik Reynolds II hit four 3-pointers and scored 18.
The Ramblers (10-6, 1-2) were led by Sheldon Edwards with 12 points. Jayden Dawson added 12 points and Miles Rubin scored 10.
Saint Joseph’s took the lead with 19:12 remaining in the first half and did not relinquish it. Reynolds led the team in scoring with 15 points in the first half to help put them up 53-29 at the break.
Bradley 61, UIC 60
Zek Montgomery led Bradley with 15 points and Duke Deen scored the game-winning 3-pointer with two seconds remaining as the Braves knocked off host UIC 61-60 on Saturday.
Montgomery shot 5 for 10 (2 for 4 from 3-point range) and 3 of 5 from the free-throw line for the Braves (14-3, 5-1 Missouri Valley Conference). Deen scored 14 points and added three steals. Corey Thomas shot 2 of 2 from the field and 7 for 7 from the line to finish with 11 points.
Jordan Mason led the way for the Flames (11-6, 3-3) with 15 points and two steals. Ahmad Henderson II added 13 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals for UIC. Sasa Ciani also recorded 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Both teams next play Wednesday. Bradley hosts Indiana State and UICsquares off against Murray State at home.
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