SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois lawmakers say they hope to come up with a way to address prison crowding by the end of this spring's session. There are 48,620 prisoners in a system designed for 33,700. The population has grown by seven-percent in two years, since Democratic Governor Pat Quinn shut down an early release program for good conduct after the AP reported a secret plan that pushed inmates out even faster. Some released under the program committed more crimes. Rep. Dennis Reboletti is an Elmhurst Republican who has been meeting with Quinn's staff. He suggests alternatives to incarceration such as treatment instead of prison for low-level drug offenders. Quinn has previously said he supports such ideas. His spokeswoman says he is working with lawmakers for "safe, sustainable prisons." full story
Friday, January 20, 2012
Illinois State Police Handled Over 38,000 Incidents, Seized Over $600,000 in 2011
The Illinois State Police in Effingham conducted a summary of district activity for 2011. State Police handled 38,023 incidents in 2011, with 18,097 citations for seatbelt and speeding violations. There were 368 drivers arrested for driving under the influence, 575 citations for other alcohol violations, and 953 criminal arrests. Eleven-hundred pounds of cannabis was seized, estimated at $1.6 million, and 136 kilos of cocaine seized, estimated at $13.6 million. $618,174 were seized in other criminal activity. District 12 troopers handled 1,087 crashes. District wide, there were 31 fatal crashes, claiming 35 lives. Alcohol was a factor in nine-crashes. Preliminary ISP statistics show 832 fatal traffic crashes, with 915 fatalities during 2011. Through partnerships with the Illinois Department of Transportation and area local law enforcement agencies, 12 fewer people lost their lives on Illinois roadways than in 2010. Locally, District 12's fatalities declined from 41 in 2010 to 35 in 2011. full story
Marion County Crimestoppers Asking for Help in ATV Theft in Rural Alma
The Marion County Crimestoppers is asking the public to help solve an ATV theft in rural Alma. A black 2008 Polaris Sportmen 800 CC four-wheeler was taken from Greenridge Road in rural Alma between January 13th and January 19th. The owner is offering a $500 reward for information resulting in the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the theft. Anyone with information is urged to call the Marion County Sheriff's Office at 548-2141, or Crimestoppers at 1-800-499-UTEL (8835). All calls to crimestoppers are anonymous. full story
Illinois Ranks 3rd in Green Building Nationally
CHICAGO (AP) - Illinois is on the U.S. Green Building Council's list of the top ten states for green buildings. Illinois ranks third on the nonprofit group's list, behind the District of Columbia and Colorado. The list ranks states for the number of commercial and institutional green buildings per capita based on the 2010 U.S. Census. Illinois has 34.5 million square feet of green building space, or 2.6 feet per capita. Doug Widener is president of the council's Illinois chapter. He says the state's high ranking marks the diversity of those in Illinois who understand the significance of green building's environmental, economic and social impacts. full story
Illinois Pair May Have Died from Drug Complications
BELLEVILLE, Ill. (AP) - Authorities say two people whose bodies were found sitting side by side in a southern Illinois home may have died from drug complications. The bodies of 46-year-old Ward Noeninger and 39-year-old Lisa Patterson were found early Wednesday at a Belleville home. St. Clair County Coroner Rick Stone says autopsies performed Thursday were inconclusive. Toxicology results are pending. Noeninger's father, James Noeninger, found the bodies when he went to check on his son, who had a long-term medical condition. James Noeninger tells the Belleville News-Democrat that his son had a brain tumor and was told three years ago that he had six months to live. It isn't clear when the pair died. There were no signs of any injuries. full story