Illinois
Illinois gubernatorial candidates debate cash bail
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) spent a lot of Thursday night time’s gubernatorial debate debating Republican candidate Darren Bailey in regards to the SAFE-T Act, a sweeping prison justice reform bundle that may abolish money bail in Illinois beginning January 1.
WGN9 TV moderators requested the candidates in regards to the outcomes of the act throughout final week’s debate at Illinois State College, in addition to Pritzker’s rumored presidential run and the way forward for Illinois’ police funds.
In accordance with a ballot printed by Emerson Faculty, almost 48% of Illinois’ residents count on the invoice will enhance crime.
“I’ve the total assist of the police on this invoice, as a result of they know precisely what this does,” Bailey stated. “The SAFE-T act have to be repealed as a result of it lets violent criminals and murderers out of jail earlier than trial.”
Earlier than the controversy, Pritzker stated he would think about modifications to the invoice. On the debate, he stated he would solely think about “clarifying modifications” that might assist with disinformation surrounding the invoice’s intentions and wouldn’t make any tangible authorized modifications to the invoice’s contents.
Politicians like Bailey argue that the invoice will additional enhance crime within the state, although Pritzker disagrees.
“Crime rose considerably throughout the pandemic and I take that very significantly,” Pritzker stated. “The prison justice system that Darren Bailey and Republicans are standing up for is one that enables murderers and rapists and home abusers to purchase their method out of jail and that’s unsafe.”
He argued that the invoice is meant to maintain perpetrators of violent crime behind bars. Pritzker stated rapists, documestic abusers and murderers will not be given the choice to make the most of the money bail system whereas a poor younger mom who shoplifts might return dwelling with out paying a advantageous.
Pritzker stated Illinois’ present cash-bail system is extra harmful than that proposed by the SAFE-T Act.
“If you wish to cut back crime, it’s a must to remedy crime, and do what I’ve executed,” Pritzker stated. “Which is to extend the variety of state police, construct state-of-the-art crime labs and guarantee that we’re funding violence prevention,”
Pritzker additionally emphasised that the SAFE-T Act will present extra funding for police and doesn’t hinder officers’ capability to unravel crimes. Funding included within the SAFE-T act will go towards crime-solving applied sciences and labs.
Pritzker stated his administration has been capable of deal with various unprocessed rape kits throughout his 4 years in workplace due to know-how investments. He stated when he took workplace, there have been almost 2000 unprocessed rape kits that had not been examined inside six months. Healthcare professionals use these youngsters to gather DNA from physique, garments and belongings after a reported sexual assault.
Bailey interrupted Pritzker’s remarks, arguing the shortage of considerable police assist for the SAFE-T invoice signifies that Pritzker has not been totally profitable in stopping and resolving crime throughout his tenure. He added that regulation enforcement must be concerned in drafting any laws much like the SAFE-T Act.
“The SAFE-T act was concocted at 4 a.m. within the wee hours of the morning with none police involvement by any means,” he stated. “Behind closed doorways.”Bailey didn’t present proof to assist these claims.
WGN9 moderators requested Bailey if he would assist any model of abolishing money bail –– the largest part of the SAFE-T Act. Although he didn’t reply immediately, he stated any comparable measure would want enter from everybody with a stake within the sport, together with regulation enforcement.
Bailey stated Pritzker’s regulation will strip police of state-funded coaching and require them to pay for their very own physique cameras, whereas growing property taxes statewide. Pritzker stated these claims had been largely unfaithful.
“I supplied more cash for police, I supplied more cash for our municipalities, two million {dollars} extra for native governments and for police throughout my time,” Pritzker stated.
Pritzker added that when Bailey served as a state senator, he voted in opposition to funding for extra law enforcement officials. Bailey, who intends to chop state spending considerably if elected, accused Pritzker of reckless spending. Bailey stated Pritzker made the identical sorts of irresponsible funding choices with police will increase this yr.
Bailey stated price range re-prioritization might result in higher outcomes for the state with out cuts to social companies.
“He’ll throw more cash and rent extra police, however they gained’t have the cash to do their jobs,” he stated.
E mail: [email protected]
Twitter: @avanidkalra
Associated Tales:
— Advocates defend SAFE-T Act amid conservative backlash
— The Every day Explains: How staff’ rights are on the poll in November with Illinois’s Modification 1
— The Every day Northwestern’s information to Illinois’s 2022 Lawyer Common race
Illinois
Some Illinois taxpayers will be able to file 2024 taxes for free with IRS program
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.
Illinois
Illinois State Police trooper hurt in multi-vehicle crash near Chicago
(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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Illinois
Local college hoops roundup: No. 13 Illinois falls to USC at home
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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