WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Mary Miller (R-IL) issues a statement on her remarks at the recent Moms for America event in Washington, D.C.
"Earlier this week, I spoke to a group of mothers about the importance of faith and guarding our youth from destructive influences. I sincerely apologize for any harm my words caused and regret using a reference to one of the most evil dictators in history to illustrate the dangers that outside influences can have on our youth. This dark history should never be repeated and parents should be proactive to instill what is good, true, right, and noble into their children’s hearts and minds. While some are trying to intentionally twist my words to mean something antithetical to my beliefs, let me be clear: I'm passionately pro-Israel and I will always be a strong advocate and ally of the Jewish community. I’ve been in discussion with Jewish leaders across the country and am grateful to them for their kindness and forthrightness."
Ask The Mayor With Joe Judge January 2021
Mt. Carmel Mayor Joe Judge joins us the second Friday of every month for the Ask The Mayor segment on the WSJD Morning Show.
Trooper Locates Stolen Vehicle while on Patrol, Evansville Man Arrested
Vanderburgh – Last night at approximately 7:12, Trooper Eaton was patrolling in the area of Columbia Street and Main Street when he spotted a 2009 Dodge Caliber that had been reported stolen. Trooper Eaton followed the vehicle until additional units from Evansville Police Department arrived to assist with the traffic stop. A traffic stop was initiated at Denby Avenue near Cherry Street. The driver of the vehicle initially stopped, but then the driver continued to drive south at a slow rate of speed until the vehicle was blocked by Indiana State Police. The driver was identified as Andrew Shane, 28, of Evansville. He was arrested for Auto Theft, a Level 5 Felony, Resisting Law Enforcement, a Class A Misdemeanor and for Driving While Suspended, a Class A Misdemeanor. Shane was taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail where he is currently being held without bond.
The Evansville Police Department assisted in this arrest.
$4 Billion Budget Hole Faces Lawmakers Returning To Springfield Friday
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday that it could be difficult to address the state's out-of-balance budget during the short lame-duck legislative session that starts Friday to wrap up the 101st General Assembly.
Whether there’s the urgency to deal with the $4 billion shortfall depends on who you ask.
State lawmakers prepare for the lame-duck session beginning Friday. It’s the first time they’ll be back in the state capital since they passed the Fiscal Year 2021 budget back in May. That $42 billion budget is the state’s largest spending plan and was reliant on the progressive income tax voters rejected. It also relied on federal grants that never materialized.
State Rep. Mike Zalewski, D-Riverside, said thanks to last month’s federal stimulus bill, there may be some cushion to get to the next General Assembly that begins work Jan. 13.
“There’s things in the CARES Act that was just passed that may not be sort of quote-unquote a direct aid package to the states, but we’re going to get funding for education, we’re going to get funding for testing, we’re going to get funding for higher ed,” Zalewski said. “Those are all silos of the budget that we traditionally work with.”
Zalewski also said the governor’s announced $711 million in cuts will help bridge to the new legislature.
“I think the governor’s proposed cuts are a good first step,” he said.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker last month revealed $711 million in cuts included $75 million from personnel “cost adjustments” and furlough days.
Asked for an update on those furloughs and personnel cost adjustments Wednesday, Pritzker said: “nothing to announce yet.”
He went on to say it’s unlikely the budget hole will be addressed in the upcoming session.
“Lame duck is relatively short so it’s difficult to do everything that we need to do to close the budget hole,” Pritzker said. “We have not heard from the Republicans after their demanding that there be cuts what their cuts proposal is.”
Pritzker had previously said he will need the legislature's help to address the budget, but never called for a special session to address the issue.
House Minority Leader Jim Durkin said he’s told the governor repeatedly to own the budget mess Democrats passed without Republican support.
“I asked Gov. Pritzker at one point to provide a list of the cuts that he had stated that he had directed his state agencies to do back in 2019, the 6.5 percent cuts … and still to this day we have not heard from him.”
Durkin said alongside cuts the state needs to also address pensions that continue to crowd out tax dollars. Pritzker said Wednesday he hoped the federal government under President Biden's administration will give direct payments to Illinois.
State Rep. Tom Demmer said budget hearings are needed immediately.
“This is no longer a situation where one person can govern,” Demmer said. “We need to work on this together and the way to do that is by convening appropriations committees and to hear directly from the people responsible for this.”
The budget year ends on June 30. The new General Assembly will be seated on Jan. 13.
Two Evansville Men Arrested after Brief Chase and Crash
Vanderburgh: Yesterday afternoon at approximately 4:15, Trooper Widner observed a 2005 Jaguar traveling left of center on Broadway near Bayou Creek Road. A traffic stop was initiated and the driver of the Jaguar turned into a residence off Broadway, but then suddenly turned around in the yard and fled east on Broadway accelerating to 60 mph. Trooper Widner terminated the chase due to safety concerns. As Trooper Widner was advising dispatch the last known direction of travel, he observed the vehicle had crashed off Broadway at Nurrenbern Road. The driver and passenger had fled from the vehicle. Trooper Widner spotted the passenger running through a backyard and gave chase. Moments later, the passenger was arrested without further incident. The passenger was identified as Kwauntai Flax, 23, of Evansville.
After securing the passenger, Trooper Widner observed the driver running east through a yard near a wood line. A short time later, Vanderburgh County sheriff’s deputies located the driver hiding in the woods. He was taken into custody without further incident. The driver was identified as Brett Salmon, 22, of Evansville. Salmon and Flax were having difficulty breathing, so they were both transported by EMS to Deaconess Midtown Hospital where they were treated and then released.
Further investigation revealed Salmon and Flax were under the influence of K2. Salmon had also struck another vehicle on Broadway causing minor injuries to the female driver. She was not transported to an area hospital.
Both men were transported to the Vanderburgh County Jail. Salmon is currently being held without bond. Flax is currently being held on a $100 bond.
Arrested and Charges:
Brett Salmon, 22, Evansville, IN
Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, Level 6 Felony
Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor
Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated causing Injury, Level 6 Felony
Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated, Class A Misdemeanor
Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Injury, Level 6 Felony
Reckless Driving, Class A Misdemeanor
Operating a Vehicle without ever obtaining a Driver’s License, Class C Misdemeanor
Kwauntai Flax, 23, Evansville, IN
Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor
Arresting Officer: Trooper Tyler Widner, Indiana State Police
Assisting Officers: Sgt. Compton, Trooper Backes, Trooper Fox, Trooper Rafferty, Trooper Stewart, and Trooper Vennekotter
Assisting Agency: Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law
Brett Salmon, 22, Evansville, IN
Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, Level 6 Felony
Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor
Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated causing Injury, Level 6 Felony
Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated, Class A Misdemeanor
Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Injury, Level 6 Felony
Reckless Driving, Class A Misdemeanor
Operating a Vehicle without ever obtaining a Driver’s License, Class C Misdemeanor
Kwauntai Flax, 23, Evansville, IN
Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor
Miller Faces Backlash Following Hitler Comment
Illinois’ newest member of Congress faces widespread backlash after quoting Nazi leader Adolf Hitler at a political rally Wednesday before violence broke out at the U.S. Capitol.
U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, who represents the 15th Congressional district in southeastern Illinois, addressed a crowd at the “Moms for America” rally. She said: “Hitler was right on one thing, whoever has the youth has the future.”
Miller was in Washington D.C. to contest the election results before rioting and looting broke out at the Capitol building. Miller eventually voted in favor of objecting to the results from Arizona.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who is Jewish, did not hold back when addressing the comments at a COVID-19 news conference on Wednesday.
“Let me be clear, Hitler got nothing right,” Pritzker said. “This reprehensible rhetoric has no place in our politics.”
Pritzker said Miller needed to visit the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center.
Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider, who announced last month that he is stepping down, said Miller's comments were "disgusting."
“That language is wrong and disgusting," he said. "We urge Congresswoman Miller to apologize.”
The head of the Anti-Defamation League said “invoking (Hitler’s) name in this or any other context is widely offensive and disrespects the millions who perished due to the Nazi’s hateful, genocidal regime.”
State Rep. Jonathan Carroll of Northbrook also condemned Miller’s statements.
“I’m in complete shock that our newest Congresswoman from Illinois would quote one of the worst monsters in our world’s history,” Carroll said. “Maybe she should educate herself as to the context of that quote and how hurtful this is to my community and the impact of Hitler’s efforts.”
Miller easily won the November race for the 15th Congressional District vacated by retiring state Rep. John Shimkus and vowed to stand with President Donald Trump by objecting to what she calls “the tainted election results.”
Illinois Law Enforcement Coalition issues statement in opposition to HB163 as amended
Press Release From Illinois Law Enforcement Coalition:
SPRINGFIELD – A coalition representing Illinois law enforcement leadership and rank-and-file officers has issued a statement in opposition to House Bill 163 as amended that was unveiled on Tuesday:
The so-called “reforms” that are part of House Bill 163 as amended would destroy law enforcement's ability to keep communities safe. The authors of this legislation are not law enforcement professionals with hundreds of years of combined experience and this bill was drafted without law enforcement input, and because of that the long-term unintended consequences of this legislation would be dire. The Illinois Law Enforcement Coalition recently enumerated its Safe Communities plan, a sensible approach to modernizing Illinois law enforcement, but House Bill 163 as amended would lead to unsafe communities in Illinois. We urge the Illinois General Assembly to avoid making a sudden, rash decision in the Lame Duck Session and instead work carefully with all stakeholders to truly examine what needs to be done regarding law enforcement in Illinois.
The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) State Lodge, FOP Labor Council, FOP Chicago Lodge 7, Illinois Sheriffs’ Association and the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police have formed the Illinois Law Enforcement Coalition and have been working on these strategies since summer to improve community safety and enhance the trust between community members and law enforcement.
Source: Illinois Sheriff’s Association
Carmi Woman Dead Following Crash In Harrisburg
ISP INVESTIGATES FATAL TRAFFIC CRASH
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 19
WHAT: Two Vehicle Fatal Traffic Crash
WHERE: Illinois Route 13 at Commercial Street, Harrisburg, Saline County
WHEN: Jan. 6, 2021 at 1:13 P.M.
VEHICLES: Unit 1– Black 2011 Chevrolet Malibu
Unit 2 – Orange 2001 Mack Truck Tractor Semi-Trailer
DRIVERS: Unit 1 – Whitney P. McKenzie, a 28-year-old female from Carmi, IL – Pronounced deceased on scene.
Unit 2 – Carl B. Wood, a 28-year-old male from Eldorado, IL – Refused medical attention.
PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigative details indicate the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling westbound on Illinois Route 13 and Unit 2 was traveling eastbound on Illinois Route 13. Unit 1 failed to yield to oncoming traffic before turning onto Commercial Street in Harrisburg. Unit 1 turned into the path of Unit 2 and was struck by Unit 2. The driver of Unit 1 was pronounced deceased on scene and the driver of Unit 2 refused medical attention. The Illinois State Police Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit (TCRU) is continuing the investigation. No further information will be disseminated at this time.
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All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Mt. Carmel Man Sentenced To 5 Years On Sex Abuse Charge
A 22 year old Mt. Carmel man has been sentenced to 5 years in prison after pleading guilty to a Class 2 felony charge of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.
In November, former Wabash County State’s Attorney Cassandra Goldman filed the complaint against Brendan Schell who was arrested following a Mt. Carmel Police investigation that was initiated by a sexual abuse allegation against Schell. He was located in the 100 block of West 8th Street where he was taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail.
Since his arrest in November, Schell has been held in the Wabash County Jail on a $4,000 cash bond. In addition, Schell is on parole from the Department of Corrections, who issued a warrant with no bond.
Schell was one of two teens arrested in 2016 for an armed robbery at the Grayville Casey’s General Store after brandishing a compound bow and arrow at the clerk. He was sentenced to 8 years on that Class X felony before being paroled in May of 2019.
Following the 5 year prison sentence, Schell will be on two years of parole.
Bailey Says Illinois GOP Congressman Should Resign Over Trump Remarks
A downstate Republican lawmaker is calling for an Illinois GOP congressman to resign over his comments toward President Donald Trump.
U.S. Representative Adam Kinzinger's voting record largely aligns with Trump. However, Kinzinger has recently made an effort to shoot down some accusations from the president and his allies after losing the election to President-elect Joe Biden. Kinzinger has called on other Republicans to accept the results of the election as well.
In a video posted Monday, state Rep. Darren Bailey, R-Xenia, called for U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a Channahon Republican, to step down, saying his “stupid” comments about Trump are not in line with party values.
“We need to find those bad elected officials and get them out of office,” Bailey said. “People like Adam Kinzinger up north. He calls himself a Republican. No. He’s a Democrat. Get him out of office.”
Bailey had gained statewide notoriety when he challenged Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s executive order and prevailed in a Clay County Circuit Court but the ruling was only applicable to him and not all Illinois residents.
The conservative lawmaker called on residents to oust Republicans like Kinzinger and others who didn’t resist Pritzker’s COVID-19 mitigations.
Kinzinger’s spokeswoman responded to Bailey’s comments, saying the congressman’s comments regarding Trump were a moral stance.
“As the Congressman has said, this is a moment in our history that requires action. It requires a moral compass and genuine leadership,” Kinzinger Communications Director Maura Gillespie said. “Congressman Kinzinger has chosen to lead without fear of the consequences and without concern for his political career. Our democracy and our country’s moral fiber are more important than appeasing the conspiracy theorists in this country or feeding into the misinformation campaigns we’re seeing all day on social media. Congressman Kinzinger is going to lead by doing the right thing, no matter the cost.”
Both Bailey and Kinzinger have been rumored to have an interest in running against Gov. J.B. Pritzker should he seek re-election in 2022.