Courts

By Jim Hagerty Reporter WASHINGTON, D.C. - Although he means well, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's stay-at-home orders may exceed this authority to keep parts of the state closed amid the coronavirus pandemic. That is the opinion of the U.S. Department of Justice, which filed a statement of interest in federal court Friday in an attempt to become a party to the lawsuit filed by Illinois Rep. Darren Bailey, who is challenging the constitutionality of Pritzker's executive order. "However…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter DIXON, Ill. - Former Dixon Comptroller Rita Crundwell is seeking release from federal prison over fears of contracting COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus. The 67-year-old is serving a nearly 20-year sentence for stealing more than $53 million from the city. “I know at my sentencing you felt I was not given a death sentence with my projected age of release of 77, but now with my deteriorating health condition, and the danger of the COVID-19…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter LENA, Ill. - An attorney from the Thomas More Society, the law firm representing the Lena church that filed a lawsuit against Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, responded Friday to a change in the stay-at-home order extension. “Today, people of faith in Illinois stood up and secured a win for their first liberty: the free exercise of religion,” Thomas More Society Vice President and Senior Counsel Peter Breen said in an email. “Calling religious freedom ‘non-essential’…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter ROCKFORD - A Lena, Illinois, church filed a lawsuit in federal court Thursday, seeking relief from Gov. J.B. Pritzker's statewide stay-at-home order. Pastor Stephen Cassell filed the complaint in the Northern District of Illinois on behalf of Beloved Church. The suit names Pritzker, Stephenson County Sheriff David Snyders, Lena Chief of Police Steve Schaible, and Stephenson County Public Health Administrator Craig Beintema as defendants. The petition says…

By Jim Hagerty Report ROCKFORD - State Rep. John Cabello, R-Machesney Park, on Wednesday, officially filed a lawsuit against Gov. J.B. Pritzker, challenging the governor's stay-at-home edict meant to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Announced Tuesday, the complaint claims the governor overstepped his authority to force businesses to close, essentially shutting down the state as health officials contend with coronavirus outbreaks. Cabello contends it should be up to businesses whether to…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - Winnebago County State’s Attorney Marilyn Hite Ross announced Wednesday the launch of the Winnebago County State’s Attorney Junior Ambassador program. The goal of program is to engage students with positive interaction with the criminal justice system. Students will learn core values that they can share with their community and their schools. The program will being by running six weeks at Washington Park Community Center. “Teens from Washington Park Community…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter ROCKFORD - Winnebago State's Attorney Marilyn Hite Ross will not seek election after her appointed term expires next December, she announced Thursday.  "When I was sworn in as State's Attorney, I indicated my goal was to continue the mission of the office that began with my predecessor ten years ago," Hite Ross said in a statement. "In December of 2020 that mission will be completed and my tenure as Winnebago County State's Attorney will come to an end. I thank God…

By The Associated Press SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The former chairman of the Illinois Gaming Board allegedly engaged in prohibited political activity while heading the agency that regulates gambling, according to a report released Wednesday by the Office of Executive Inspector General. The report says Don Tracy made "loans and contributions either directly, or through his wife, to political committees" in violation of state law. Tracy was named the Gaming Board's chairman by former Gov.…

By The Associated Press CHICAGO (AP) — The wife of a powerful Chicago alderman facing federal corruption allegations will become the Illinois Supreme Court's next chief justice. The state's highest court selected Anne Burke earlier this week. The 13-year veteran of the court will start her three-year term Oct. 26. A Tuesday court statement says she'll be the third female chief justice on the 200-year-old court, following current Justice Rita Garman and late Justice Mary Ann McMorrow.…