Recent Blog Posts
Transit Officials Concerned Over Concealed Weapon Law Passing
Millions of people rely on public transportation – buses, subways, L-trains, trains. Chicago is known for their transit system and its efficiency and mass usage. Diverse people utilize all forms to get to work, home, play and for tourism. As a relatively safe option for moving around town, what would happen if weapons were allowed on these transportation systems?
The Chicago Transit spoke to legislators to reassess the concealed weapon law for transit systems. They mentioned a bad mix of people who are drunk, violent and hot headed could lead to more violence. Chicago is already on the rise for murders just two months into 2013, and officials are concerned that if anyone can carry a concealed weapon on board public transportation, it would bring about more problems.
Legislators are looking at a variety of options as Illinois is the only state left to make a decision on the concealed weapon law. From full on out permission to carry the concealed weapons to only in specific areas, Illinois is faced with making a clear and concise decision. Supporters believe it will give people a chance to protect themselves; others believe it will just cause more trouble.
Cyberbullying Teachers Now Crime For Students
We all have had a teacher, or two, who we just could not stand. Yes, we might have said a mean thing or two, but did to take it to the internet? Make fake accounts to humiliate those teachers? Spread awful rumors that could potentially harm their career and even harm their families?
North Carolina legislators have said students bullying educators has reached its limit. Harassing, intimidating, or tormenting teachers online has now become against the law. For example, posting pictures of teachers stating they are pedophiles, homosexuals, violent individuals. Also, setting up fake online accounts such as Twitter and posting things as if they were stating things is illegal as well. The law states that it is not allowed to create fake profiles for teachers; however, it is a crime to post real images or make any sort of statement online, true or not. If caught, students could spend up to one month in jail and pay up to $1,000 fee.
Woman Accused of Leaving Scene of Fatal Accident
A 44 year-old Chicago woman is being held on $2 million bail for a January crash that killed two women. Lisa Elner has been charged with failure to report an accident involving death, aggravated driving under the influence involving death, possession of cocaine and other traffic charges.
According to a report in the Chicago Tribune, on Jan. 26, around 7 a.m., police found Elner wandering around near the entrance ramp to southbound Interstate 55 at Harlem Avenue. She was freezing and according to police, intoxicated. She also was seriously injured and police took her to MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn. Elner told police she was walking home from a barroom, but never said anything to them about a car accident.
Five hours later, a trucker found an overturned SUV, along the Illinois and Michigan Canal. Police later discovered the bodies of two women, Michelle Miranda, 37, of Berwyn, and Sandra Frankum, 36, of Bolingbrook. An investigation revealed that that the SUV was headed south on Harlem approaching the I-55 ramp about 3 a.m. when the driver lost control and the vehicle jumped a curb and crashed through a barrier before plunging at least 50 feet onto the road below.
Two Women Arrested for Protesting Naperville’s Smart Meter Installation
Two members of a group opposing the installation of wireless electric ‘smart meters’ in Naperville, IL have been arrested for refusing to allow utility workers on their property to install the meters. Malia “Kim” Bendis and Jennifer Stahl are members of Naperville Smart Meter Awareness (NMSA), a group formed to protest the City of Naperville’s decision to make everyone who lives within the Naperville city limits and is a customer of the city-owned electric utility — have the new wireless meters installed in their homes and businesses. If a customer doesn’t want the smart meter, they can pay $68 to have a non-wireless meter installed and a monthly service fee of $25 to cover the cost of having a meter reader come to the property to obtain the read. The city has already installed 57,000 smart meters and is about 99 percent finished with the process according to an article in theChicago Tribune.
Man Charged with Domestic Battery | Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney
Joseph L. Lopez Jr.
A 34 year-old Mt. Prospect man is being held in lieu of $250,000 bond, accused of choking and beating a woman and telling her that he would “kill her or bury her alive” after she told him she wanted to end their relationship.
According to a report in the Chicago Tribune, Joseph L. Lopez Jr., grabbed the woman and pushed her into her car, striking her with a closed fist after she tried to break off their two year relationship. Lopez threatened the woman, telling her he would “kill her or bury her alive” if she did not continue dating him. He also told her he would “drive her to Chicago and dissolve her body” if she tried calling police.
Prosecutors told the court that Lopez also slammed the woman’s head into the center console of the car. He choked her until she lost consciousness. When she came to, she told Lopez she would continue to see him and he let her go.
Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. Pleads Guilty to Fraud
In a surprising turn of events, Jesse Jackson Jr. went from a man with huge political aspirations to someone who seems to have lost control. The Democratic Representative from Chicago stepped down recently while being investigated and dealing with health issues. He pleaded guilty to one felony fraud charge on Wednesday February 20th to secure a plea deal. He was charged with fraud for using $750,000 in campaign money to pay for his lavish living expenses.
The court filed a 22 page report which outlines the spending habits of a politician who many thought would one day run for Mayor in Chicago or President of the US. It started when Jesse opened a campaign account and then withdrew nearly $45,000 to purchase a Rolex watch. He went on to purchase “high-end electronic items, collector’s items, clothing, food and supplies for daily consumption, movie tickets, health club dates, personal travel, and personal dining expenses,” according to the prosecution.
Lovers Quarrel on Valentine’s Day Turns Bloody
On Thursday February 14th, a couple celebrated Valentine’s Day with a night on the town. Skokie resident Elaine Cook, 51, and her boyfriend later returned to her apartment and got into a fight. The altercation became bloody when Cook bit her boyfriend’s tongue.
At first, Cook requested that her boyfriend of ten months to leave. She became even more upset when he attempted to kiss her goodnight. Cook bit off a chunk of her boyfriend’s tongue. She was arrested and charged with aggravated domestic battery and is being held in place of a $100,000 bail.
The boyfriend, who asked not to be named in the press, put the portion of his tongue on ice in an attempt to have it reattached. An ambulance was called by Cook’s roommate and transported the boyfriend to Evanston Hospital. Unfortunately, the doctors were unable to reattach the chunk of tongue due to a lack of blood flow.
At this point, the 47 year old man from Chicago is unsure what the next step will be. He reported that “It’s just sad. The whole thing. I’m in a lot of pain and I’m not sure what direction I’m going to at this point.” He does know that he doesn’t want to see Cook in jail or have her life ruined.
Iraq War Vet Facing Murder Charges
A father of two small children and a loving husband who dedicates his life to our nation is a hero. One who put his life on the line for four tours of duty in Iraq, scouting out 150 insurgents to rid them to become the United States deadliest sniper, to come home and help his fellow veterans, becomes a legend. Respect for such a patriotic family man should go wherever he goes. Unfortunately, the things that we are most passionate about can hurt us.
Former marine and post-traumatic stress disorder victim, Eddie Ray Routh, has been charged with shooting Navy SEAL sniper great, Chris Kyle and neighbor friend, Chad Littlefield in a Glen Close, Texas, gun range. He is charged with three counts of murder after having a $3 million bond set. As a PTSD war veteran, Routh was probably spending time with Kyle because Kyle’s heart was to help other war veterans through the transition of being back home from the war front. Though they did not meet through Kyle’s organization for war veterans with PTSD, Kyle was known to help anyone he met.
Illinois Auditor General Charged with DUI
Illinois Auditor General William Holland was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol in Springfield on February 8, the Chicago Tribune reported. Holland, 61, admitted that he received tickets for alleged drunken driving and improper lane usage. According to a police report, Holland “had a very strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath, red, blood-shot glassy eyes.” Holland underwent field sobriety tests, which he failed. He also refused to take a breath test which means his license will be suspended for a year.
Holland said the entire matter was “unfortunate… I was in my own car,” he said. “It was not a state vehicle. There was nobody else with me. I was on my own time. I’m happy to say that there was no damage to any property or any individual.” He is scheduled for a court appearance in March.
Evanston Man Admits Guilt in Buying Stolen Merchandise
A rare coin dealer has pleaded guilty to buying purportedly stolen valuables from undercover police officers who posed as criminals, the Chicago Tribune reported. James Coello, 47, pleaded guilty to “continuing a financial crimes enterprise” on February 6. His sentence includes 36 months of probation, 100 hours of community service and some fees and fines.
Although Coello originally had pleaded not guilty, the coin dealer changed his mind and made a plea bargain with the prosecution. “I don’t really know the many machinations of how this works. All I know is I paid a lawyer and he pretty much took care of everything,” Coello said. It is always important to discuss the details of your case with a criminal defense lawyer no matter what the charges are.
Coello was arrested in September after the undercover operation in which police sold him purportedly stolen merchandise such as jewelry, coins and watches. Furthermore, investigators found stolen property, which was reported stolen in recent burglaries, from Coello’s store.
