Advancements in US Customs and Border Protection technology at O’Hare more effectively identify inbound international fentanyl packages

CHICAGO  — Improved detection capabilities and increased scrutiny of incoming packages will curb the influx of fentanyl and other deadly synthetic opioids entering the U.S. through the mail, Gov. Bruce Rauner said today while touring the Chicago International Mailing Facility (IMF).

The governor joined Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti and Illinois State Police Director Leo Schmitz in applauding new practices that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) employees are implementing at the Chicago IMF to stop the lethal cargo.

“There is great urgency to curb the spread of the opioid epidemic as more Illinoisans die each year from overdoses,” Rauner said. “These enhanced screening procedures will decrease the prevalence of opioids and fentanyl entering our communities. Collaboration amongst federal, state and local government is crucial to combat the projected increases in opioid-related deaths.”

The governor issued an Executive Order Sept. 6, 2017, creating the Opioid Overdose Prevention and Intervention Task Force. He appointed Sanguinetti to co-chair the task force with Dr. Nirav Shah, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health.

“As our task force moves rapidly to implement our Opioid Action Plan and curb the growing opioid overdose epidemic in Illinois, we are fortunate to have strong federal partners like U.S. Customs and Border Protection who are doing everything they can to keep deadly narcotics off our shores and out of our state,” Sanguinetti said. “This epidemic knows no neighborhood, no color and no class … it will take all of us working together to curb this deadly scourge.”

Nearly 2,000 Illinoisans died of opioid-related overdoses last year, and the Illinois Department of Public Health projects annual deaths will reach 2,700 by 2020 if nothing more is done to address the issue. Synthetics like fentanyl are fueling the rise in overdose deaths. Fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. A dose equivalent to three grains of salt is lethal for an average-sized person, health officials said.

Customs officials seized 82 fentanyl shipments at the Chicago International Mailing Facility (IMF) last year, the second highest number of seizures in the country after the New York IMF. Eighty-nine percent of the fentanyl packages seized at the Chicago IMF were from Hong Kong and China, the primary source of fentanyl in the United States.

Recently launched procedures at the Chicago IMF use Advanced Electronic Data (AED) to enhance screening capabilities. AED is another layer of protection that will help CBP officers effectively target and seize drug packages based on various characteristics. The data will build on other measures such as Gemini™ Analyzer technology that uses spectroscopy for quick and effective chemical identification in fentanyl-filled packages and K-9 units that are specially trained to detect opioids.

“We have a highly dedicated and committed group of CBP officers disrupting the flow of illicit narcotics into our country,” said Matthew S. Davies, Chicago Area Port Director. “We will continue collaborating with our law enforcement partners to improve the efficiency of information sharing in order to identify trafficking trends and execute operations to keep these extremely dangerous drugs off the street.”

Last month, President Trump declared the opioid epidemic a national emergency.

“The opioid crisis has negatively affected far too many citizens of this state,” Illinois State Police Director Leo Schmitz said. “It has robbed people of their futures, destroyed families, and has touched all aspects of society.

“The Illinois State Police is committed to working with our partners in law enforcement, other state agencies and community stakeholders to fight this epidemic,” he continued. “By working together as a team, we can stem the flow of opioids to our communities, educate our children on the dangers of addiction and hold those who violate the law accountable.”

CAIRO, IL –  The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced on Tuesday, November 28 the agency filed a fraud complaint against two former officials of the Alexander County Housing Authority.

The two officials are accused of using public housing funds for personal travel and gifts and submitting false documentation to the Federal government.

The complaint was filed under the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act of 1986.

Please click on the link below to read the full story from KFVS-TV

http://www.kfvs12.com/story/36942994/hud-files-fraud-complaint-against-former-acha-officials

 

 

 

SPRINGFIELD, IL – A case currently before the Illinois Supreme Court asks how much power a taxpayer should have when they sue their government for misuse of funds.

The lawsuit alleges that the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity gave away more generous incentives than the law allowed. DCEO is responsible for giving out the Economic Development for a Growing Economy, or EDGE credits. When they were challenged by a group of taxpayers for giving out more incentives than state law allows, the department looked to have the case thrown out, saying citizens can’t sue the state for overspending.

Please click on the link below to read the full story from Illinois News Radio Network.

https://www.ilnews.org/news/justice/state-supreme-court-to-decide-if-taxpayers-can-sue-government/article_8b6d0b10-cb4b-11e7-a176-7b1e8a2120e7.html

 

 

CHICAGO, IL  –  Since 2013, there have been dozens of incidents in which Department of Children and Family Services where Caseworkers  have been threatened or been victims of the families they are trying to serve.

AFCSME and the department are formulating measures to keep caseworkers safe.

Please click the link below to read the full story from the Chicago Tribune.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/watchdog/ct-dcfs-workers-met-20171117-story.html

CHICAGO, IL-  Please click on the link below for the Associated Press story from KTVI in St. Louis regarding Govenor Rauner’s action today.  If an official statement from his office is released, it will be added to the story.  -sd

http://fox2now.com/2017/11/22/illinois-governor-grants-5-petitions-for-clemency-denies-97/

IDOT, ISP, Tollway urge motorists to prepare for winter driving conditions

SPRINGFIELD – As bitter cold creeps into Illinois, the state’s frontline weather responders remind motorists that preparation can help take the bite out of winter this season. The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and the Illinois Tollway encourage motorists to prepare for wintry driving conditions and remember: “Winter Weather – Get it Together.”

“Winter weather can be unpredictable in Illinois, but preparation today will make a safer tomorrow,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn. “Drivers should start easing into those winter driving behaviors now. Our snow-and-ice teams are ready, as always, to make this a safe, successful winter driving season.”

Throughout the winter, especially during adverse conditions, motorists should practice basic winter driving skills and build extra time into their schedules. As part of the “Winter Weather – Get it Together” campaign, all travelers are encouraged to follow these simple rules and tips during the coming months:

• Always wear a seat belt. It’s the law in Illinois.
• Slow down. Slower speeds, slower acceleration, slower steering and slower braking all are required in winter driving conditions.
• Drop it and drive. Put down the handheld devices – it, too, is the law in Illinois.
• Don’t crowd the plow. A snowplow operator’s field of vision is restricted. You may see
them, but they may not see you.
• Avoid using cruise control in snow and ice.
• Watch out for black ice on roads that appear clear but can be treacherous.
• Be especially careful approaching intersections, ramps, bridges and shady areas. All are prone to icing.
• Do not travel during bad weather unless absolutely necessary. If you do have to make a
trip, check the forecast and make sure someone is aware of your travel route. Consider taking public transportation if it is an option.
• Prepare an emergency kit that contains jumper cables, flares or reflectors, windshield washer fluid, a small ice scraper, traction material, blankets, non-perishable
food and a first-aid kit.
• Carry a cell phone and a car charger in case of emergency.
• Follow Scott’s Law. Slow down and move over for stopped emergency, construction and maintenance vehicles.
• For a list of suggested maintenance for your car, visit the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s winter driving website.
• For more winter driving tips, check out this short IDOT video.

“Winter weather causes extremely dangerous driving with black ice and white out conditions,” said ISP Director Leo P. Schmitz. “Plan ahead by checking your windshield wipers, vehicle fluid levels, proper tire inflation and tread depth. Remember to avoid unnecessary lane changes and as always, reduce your speed and increase following distances. Don’t crowd the plow. Give them room to work. A snowplow operator’s field of vision is restricted. You may see them, but they may not see you.”

Before leaving the house, drivers are encouraged to check GettingAroundIllinois.com for continually updated information on winter road conditions, weather radars, road and bridge closures and other traffic-related information. The site was recently redesigned in a mobile-friendly format providing a more convenient way to access important information quickly. The winter road conditions map gives travelers the ability to zoom in to their location, travel route or destination and get real-time road conditions. At any time, motorists can check travel conditions by calling 1-800-452-IDOT (4368) or 1-800-TOLL-FYI.

“Winter weather can make driving challenging for our customers, so our priorities are to keep the roads clear and provide roadway information to help drivers safely reach their destinations,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Greg Bedalov. “In return, we ask our customers to protect themselves and our workers by slowing down and increasing their distance from other vehicles, particularly during storms and severe weather.”

For the upcoming winter, IDOT will have more than 1,700 trucks available for deployment to plow almost 16,000 miles of roads statewide, the equivalent of driving from Springfield to the tip of South America and back. Last year, IDOT spread almost 305,000 tons of salt statewide. This winter, salt domes throughout the state are at capacity, with more than 550,000 tons on hand. Four hundred brand-new snow plows are ready to be deployed throughout the state. The new trucks are more energy efficient and will reduce air pollution.

The Illinois Tollway is prepared to deploy its fleet of 196 snowplows for winter storms and has stockpiled more than 87,000 tons of salt to keep its 294-mile system of five tollways clear and safe for its 1.6 million daily drivers.

Please follow IDOT on Facebook and Twitter for updates on travel throughout the winter.

CHICAGO, IL – This Thanksgiving, the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) urges Illinoisans to be mindful when preparing Thanksgiving dinner.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), more home cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving Day than any other day of the year. In 2015, fire departments responded to over 1,760 home cooking fires on Thanksgiving.

“Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate with family and friends. The last thing we want to see is your holiday ruined by a devastating fire,” said Fire Marshal Matt Perez. “These simple fire safety tips will ensure you and your loved ones’ safety throughout the holiday season.”

The NFPA recommends the following:

• Stay at home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
• Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop.
• Turn pot handles inward over the stove – out of reach from hands, pets and accidental bumps of the hip.
• Keep the floor clear and electrical cords out of the way so there is less chance of tripping.
• Put a lid on stove top fires. Keep oven doors closed and turn off the heat, in case of fire.
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

If you will be deep frying a turkey, OSFM recommends following these tips:

• Never leave your fryer unattended.
• Keep the fryer outdoors – off decks, out of garages and away from trees.
• Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and dry before frying as frozen or wet turkeys can cause hot oil splatters.
• Turn off the burner before lowering the turkey into oil. Turn the burner back on when the turkey is completely submerged.
• Never use water to extinguish a grease fire. If a fire occurs, call 911 immediately.
• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby.

For additional home fire safety information, please visit the OSFM website.

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Governor Bruce Rauner took action today on the following bills:

Bill No.: SB 402
An Act Concerning Government
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 137
An Act Concerning State Government
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately

Signing Statement for HB 137

November 16, 2017

Today I sign House Bill 137, which waives the one year restriction on the Legislative Inspector General conducting investigations of complaints that were raised, but neglected, between December 2014 and November 2017.

This bill represents a positive but small step toward addressing the pressing issue of sexual harassment in the Capitol. It ensures that a vacancy in the Office of the Legislative Inspector General does not allow for complaints and reports of victims to go unheard.

The General Assembly should now look to meaningful reforms of its ethical oversight structure to ensure that the new Legislative Inspector General has robust and independent investigatory and enforcement power. As currently codified, the Legislative Inspector General has a narrow mandate and limited authority.  The legislature should conduct a thorough analysis of the existing statutes of limitations to ensure remedies are available.  For example, after the Office of the Legislative Inspector General finds reasonable cause of a violation, there is a limitation of 18 months in which to file a complaint with the Legislative Ethics Commission.  That time limitation will certainly need to be modified.

I am putting my signature to House Bill 137, but look forward to working with members of the General Assembly willing to take the next steps toward greater independence, transparency, and enforcement mechanisms for the Legislative Inspector General.