CHICAGO — Gov. Bruce Rauner today signed a bill to create a new Illinois Lottery scratch-off game from which proceeds will fund police memorials, support for the families of officers killed or severely injured in the line of duty, and protective vest replacements for officers.

“Our police officers stand in the face of danger every day to keep us safe. We are proud to stand with them and support their families when they are faced with a devastating loss,” Rauner said. “This new ticket will help fund scholarships for their children and honor their bravery at memorial parks across the state.”

House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, along with prominent police memorial funds, pushed forward House Bill 5513, which creates the police memorial instant ticket and requires that net proceeds go to the Criminal Justice Information Projects Fund. The funds are then to be divided equally among the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation Fund, the Police Memorial Committee Fund, and the Illinois State Police Memorial Fund.

The three designated police memorial funds provide support to families of officers who have been killed or severely injured in the line of duty.

“Our police officers wake up every day and put their lives on the line to ensure the safety and security of their citizens and communities,” Durkin said. “It is our duty to help them and their families when they are catastrophically hurt protecting Illinoisans, and this legislation ensures more money will be available without relying on additional state funding.”

“The Illinois Lottery welcomes the police memorial instant ticket to our specialty ticket portfolio,” Illinois Lottery Interim Acting Director Harold Mays said. “Since 2006, sales of specialty tickets have raised nearly $50 million for various good causes in Illinois. The police memorial ticket will add to that legacy.”

“No dollar amount raised could ever replace a loved one who has paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty,” said Illinois State Police Director Leo P. Schmitz. “The funds raised by this new bill will serve as a tribute to these fallen heroes for their sacrifice, and more importantly help future generations of police officers, their families and their children.”

“We are proud to support the State of Illinois’ new scratch-off lottery ticket to benefit the families and preserve the memories of our real-life heroes who lost their lives protecting others,” Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said on behalf of the Chicago Police Memorial Fund. “Nothing can replace the empty seat at the dinner table or fill the aching absence of these heroes. But we can remember their bravery, integrity and selfless service by memorializing their exceptional character through the scholarships and programs that will be assisted by this new lottery game.”

“We’re grateful to the General Assembly and Gov. Rauner for making this day possible,” said Dave Johnson, president of the Illinois Police Officers Memorial Committee. “This fund will help the children of our fallen officers and will help preserve the Illinois Police Officers Memorial as well as support the annual police officers’ ceremony, which is held the first Thursday in May.”

The funds raised through this new scratch-off ticket will be used to build and maintain police memorials and parks, hold annual memorial commemorations, give scholarships to children of officers killed or severely injured in the line of duty, provide financial assistance to police officers and their families when a police officer is killed or injured in the line of duty, and provide financial assistance to officers to purchase or replace protective gear.

The new law goes into effect Jan. 1, 2019.

7-20-18 at 3:24 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash at Il. Rt. 148 at Park St. Road. A 1999 Ford Econoline driven by Michelle J. Leeper age 50 of Herrin was east bound on Park St. Road and failed to stop at the stop sign at the stop sign at the intersection with Rt. 148. The Econoline traveled through the intersection, into the path of a north bound 1997 Ford Ranger, driven by Gaylord E. Eckhoff age78 of Sesser. Gaylord Eckhoff was not injured. Michelle Leeper received minor injuries but refused medical treatment. She was ticketed for disobeying a stop sign.

7-20-18 at 5:00 pm Deputies responded to an incident in rural Thompsonville in which the complainant stated he has been the victim of a theft and also had been struck by a vehicle as the alleged thief fled the scene. The investigation led to the arrest of Dara L. Doan age 39 of West Frankfort. She was charged with aggravated battery, misdemeanor theft and misdemeanor criminal damage to property. The incident is still under investigation and more arrests are possible.

7-21-18 at 5:49 am a Deputy responded to a reported domestic dispute in rural Ewing. The Deputy arrested Joseph J. Chaney age 29 for aggravated domestic battery and was placed in handcuffs in the patrol cars prisoner cage. The Deputy, who was working alone, was attending to the complainant and left Chaney unattended for a short time. During this time, Chaney was able to free himself by apparently “slipping” the handcuffs and escaping the patrol car’s inmate cage by damaging the car’s rear door. A manhunt then began and other Sheriff’s Deputies were summoned, joined by Benton and West City Police Officers. Chaney was eventually located and taken into custody at Lake Benton at approximately 1:00 pm. Both Chaney and a Sheriff’s Deputy were treated for heat exhaustion at a local hospital. Chaney is being held in the Franklin County Jail on charges of aggravated domestic battery, felony escape from a Peace Officer and felony criminal damage to Government supported property. Both the Sheriff’s K-9 and Benton Police’s K-9 were deployed in the manhunt. The Sheriff’s Office gratefully acknowledges the assistance of both the Benton and West City Police, as well as Abbott E.M.S.

7-21-18 at 4:30 pm Deputies responded to a reported domestic dispute at the North Marcum Beach area of Rend Lake. The investigation resulted in the arrests of Jeremy L. Connor age 34 and Michelle A. Connor age 33, both of Christopher and both for domestic battery.

7-21-18 at 10:34 pm Deputies responded to a reported disturbance in the North Sandusky Campground at Rend Lake. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Caleb M.D. Czak age 19 of Mt. Carmel for aggravated battery.

7-22-18 at 5:37 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on Rend City Road ¼ mile east of Water Road. A 2001 Oldsmobile Alero was west bound on South Rend City Road behind a 2014 Chevrolet Equinox that was also west bound. The Alero attempted to pass the Equinox as the Equinox was trying to make a left turn, causing a collision. There were no injuries and the driver of the Alero, Breanna L. Slack age 16 of Sesser was ticketed for improper passing and failing to reduce speed to avoid a crash.

7-23-18 at 9:38 am Deputies responded to a single vehicle traffic crash in Orient. A 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Fredrick N. Bowling age 33 of West Frankfort, was south bound on Lincoln Street, lost control, ran off the roadway to the west, over corrected and ran off the roadway to the east, struck a utility pole and then a tree. The driver received major injuries and was transported to a local hospital by West Frankfort Fire E.M.S. He was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.

7-23-18 at 3:28 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on Yellow Banks Road at Dry Road. A 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan driven by Jacqueline Reimer age 51 of Christopher was east bound when a 1985 Honda 3-wheel A.T.V. pulled into the path of the Grand Caravan from Dry Road, attempting to cross Yellow Banks Road and proceed south on Dry Road. The A.T.V. was driven by Matthew D. Gunn age 26 of Christopher. He received major injuries and was transported to a local hospital by West Frankfort E.M.S. He was ticketed for failure to yield right of way, operating an uninsured vehicle and improper operation of an A.T.V. on the roadway. A passenger on the A.T.V. Katie N. Gunn age 26 of Christopher received major injuries and was air evacuated out to an out of state hospital. There were no injuries reported to any of the occupants of the Grand Caravan.

7-24-18 at 12:37 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on Il. State Highway Rt. 149 just east of West Frankfort. A 2007 Hyundai Sonata driven by Shirley F. Mondino age 72 of West Frankfort was stopped on Rt. 149, facing east waiting for traffic to clear intending to make a left turn (north) into a private driveway. A 2010 Chevrolet Traverse, driven by Judith E. Prock age 75 of Thompsonville, was also east bound and struck the Sonata in a rear-end type collision. Shirley Mondino received major injuries and was transported to a local hospital by West Frankfort Fire E.M.S. Judith Prock also received major injuries and was transported to a local hospital by West Frankfort E.M.S. Prock was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.

7-24-18 at 5:56 pm Deputies responded to a domestic dispute in Orient. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Rachael E. Pollack age 40 of Orient for domestic battery.

7-24-18 Deputies are investigation the thefts of two vehicles from the same rural Mulkeytown residence. One of the vehicles was subsequently recovered near Desoto in Jackson County. Another vehicle reported stolen from the state of Kansas was also recovered in the general area in rural Mulkeytown. These thefts may be related to a series of vehicle thefts that occurred in Perry County.

7-25-18 at 9:44 pm Deputies responded to a reported disturbance in Freeman Spur. The incident resulted in the arrest of Jesse D. Mcclure age 47 of Freeman Spur for an active warrant for failure to appear on traffic charges and for resisting arrest.

7-25-18 at 6:37 pm Deputies are investing a motor vehicle theft in rural West Frankfort. This theft is believed to be related to an earlier motor vehicle theft that occurred in Benton. A 17 year old male has been arrested in connection with that theft. He is being held in the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center. More arrest are anticipated. The vehicle stolen from rural West Frankfort has been recovered in rural West Frankfort, wrecked in a ditch.

WARRANT ARRESTS

7-23-18 Kevin R. Lee age 48 of West Frankfort. Failure to appear on unlawful violation of an order of protection.

7-24-18 Jeromy V. Boccok age 37 of Marion. Predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

7-25-18 Trina L. Greenwood age 49 of Benton. Failure to appear on traffic charges.

7-27-18 Michael A. Perkins age 38 of West Frankfort. Failure to appear for residential burglary.

The public is reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s wife is reaching out to President Donald Trump seeking a presidential pardon for her husband. If Trump freed Blagojevich today, which one of Illinois’ leading candidates for governor would it hurt the most?

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

BENTON — Sentencing has been postponed for Brian Pheasant, the man convicted of the 2016 murder of his wife, Beth Pheasant.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

Illinois taxpayers could save more than $3 billion a year from government consolidation and mandate relief, according to Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

President Donald Trump celebrated the return of the U.S. steel industry during a speech inside a reopened steel plant in Granite City on Thursday.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Mentorship program puts returning citizens on path to business ownership

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Bruce Rauner recognized today formerly incarcerated men and women who have completed the first of three phases of their training to start and operate a business through the Pathway to Enterprise for Returning Citizens (PERC) program. PERC is a privately funded initiative aimed at reducing prison recidivism rates by giving people who aspire to build their own businesses the tools they need to succeed.

A total of 16 men and women completed the first phase and will now move on to the second phase of training — mentorship. They’ll work with an experienced business professional who’ll critique their business plans and coach them on how to build a market for their product, establish their brand, maintain creditworthiness, and generate income while their business is in its infant stages.

The third phase of training will involve applying for capital. Those who complete the program successfully will be positioned to receive a privately funded loan of up to $50,000 to launch their businesses.

“Too often, the men and women who have served time in a correctional center are counted out. We’re changing that and giving them an opportunity to start their own business, create jobs, and build in the communities where they live,” Rauner said at today’s ceremony. “That’s how you put people on a path to success, that’s how you build generational wealth, and that’s how you stop the cycle of incarceration. We’re proud to see these men and women rise up and we wish them the best as they continue on this journey.”

The Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives Micro Finance Group (CNIMFG) and the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) played a critical role in launching the pilot program last November, and worked closely with the private organizations to secure more than $1 million to get the program started.

“We’re working to empower the most underserved populations by creating economic opportunities through entrepreneurship,” said Erica King, vice president of lending for CNIMFG. “We are excited to extend that same service to formerly incarcerated individuals who are seeking to live in a secure and inclusive community. The training, coaching and capital access that PERC provides will equip returning citizens with the tools they need to start businesses and create employment opportunities for themselves and others in their community.”

“We are thrilled to see the first group of PERC participants make it through the first phase of training,” said ICJIA’s Randy Kurtz. “We are cheering for their success and hopeful that they will take what they learn and build a better future for themselves.”

“There has been a history of a lack of support for minority–owned businesses as well as its entrepreneurial community, especially those who are returning citizens,” said PERC Program Manager Marcus Yancey. “We hope these entrepreneurs will go back into their communities with some of the knowledge and resources that PERC has provided and open businesses, hire within their community and help reduce unemployment rates.”

Men and women who are interested in participating in the PERC program apply before they are released from a correctional center. The PERC team works with the Illinois Department of Corrections to identify candidates who are returning to communities in the South and West Sides of Chicago.

“We are on a mission to reduce recidivism and improve outcomes for the men and women sentenced to us. Unique programming such as PERC gives offenders the hope and skills they need to create better futures for their families,” said IDOC Director John Baldwin. “The individuals who take part in this program are taking charge of their lives and we look forward to their accomplishments as they put the training they have learned into motion.”

Training services for the PERC program are provided by The Safer Foundation of Illinois, Bethel New Life in the Austin neighborhood, and Sunshine Enterprises, based in Woodlawn. Additional training will be provided by the North Lawndale Employment Network.

The PERC program highlights Rauner’s commitment to reform the state’s criminal justice system and set formerly incarcerated individuals up for success upon release. Since taking office, Rauner has worked to remove barriers that prevented former offenders from receiving professional licenses in health care fields and cosmetology; worked with legislators on both sides of the aisle to change sentencing laws and ensure former offenders get access to a state ID and their birth certificates; and opened Life Skills Re-Entry Centers that provide offenders with training on how to prepare a budget, set realistic goals, and build interpersonal relationship skills.

The Illinois prison population is down more than 15 percent since Rauner took office in 2015.

Southern Illinois’ congressman expects President Donald Trump to talk about more than just tariffs and steel jobs when he visits the Metro East. 

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.