Two weeks to slow the spread has turned into a full year, and government policies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are having lasting impacts on Illinois businesses and landlords.
On March 16, 2020, Gov. J.B. Pritzker closed restaurants and bars to indoor service. Over 12 months, he’s flipped the on-off switch several times with executive order and emergency rules limiting business activity.
“[T]he governor extended his state of emergency power by delivering executive order after executive order—a total of 76 times, shutting down our economy and making massive public health decisions without the inclusion of the legislature or the communities we represent,” said Illinois Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie.
Those orders included a more-than-two-month stay-at-home order that began March 21, 2020. On April 17, 2020, Pritzker ordered public schools closed and prohibited sporting events for most of the year.
The impacts of the governor’s orders were apparent as shown in the state’s massive unemployment spike last spring. The effects linger. Some estimate one-in-five restaurants in Illinois are closed for good.
Pritzker still has restrictions at 50% capacity for indoor dining, as part of Phase 4 of his five-phased COVID reopening plan released in May.
At Springfield restaurant Westwoods Lodge, owner Mick Wanless said some people ask if 50% capacity is better than nothing.
“It’s a lot better, but my bills are still 100%,” he said. “Some people just don’t get that, you know.”
Even with the 50% capacity, Wanless said increased and sustained unemployment benefits may be keeping potential employees away. This, while the employers are inundated with continued edicts.
“We get these rules, we get them from the city, the county, the state and the federal, so we get something that says ‘you‘ve got to wear this, you’ve got to be this far apart,’ it’s coming from four different entities,” Wanless said.
Despite rising vaccination rates and low COVID-19 positivity rates, Pritzker hasn’t provided clarity for when restrictions will be relaxed. He’s raised concerns over COVID-19 variants, which Illinois reports 98 in the past five weeks.
Also, with a year in, landlords are still having to pay property taxes while their tenants go rent-free, and some property owners are at their wit's end.
Loretta Facchini, a retired hospital worker, said she saved throughout her career to buy one investment property in Lake County she could rent out to supplement her Social Security. Before the pandemic, she was owed back rent.
“And I was about to evict them, I got a lawyer, and then that’s when [then-President Donald] Trump and Pritzker put on the eviction moratorium and it’s over a year that I haven’t received a penny,” Facchini said.
Facchini said despite not getting any rent from tenants because of the government-imposed eviction moratorium, she still pays thousands in property taxes and insurance on the home in Lake County.
It’s a mixed bag across the state whether counties are delaying property tax payments, delaying owed interest, or not delaying filing deadlines at all.
There are other landlords in her shoes, Facchini said.
“And it’s not people that have hundreds of rentals, I only have that one house that I’m renting out,” the soon-to-be 71-year-old said. “I’m losing everything.”
She says she’s owed $60,000 from the past year from her tenants.
A COVID-19 bill Congress passed last year sent $834.7 million in federal taxpayer-funded financial assistance for Illinois renters and landlords, but that money is still in limbo. The Illinois House Development Authority says it will administer funds “this spring.”
“In most cases, payment will be made directly to the landlord,” the Illinois Housing Development Authority says on its website, noting an “anticipated launch date of April 2021.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated our families and businesses in Illinois,” McConchie said Friday. “We must learn from this horrible situation and improve our governing process to allow for more seats at the decision-making table to reach better outcomes.”
McConchie has Senate Bill 103 that would require the governor to get legislative approval for consecutive 30-day emergency declarations and executive orders.
Terre Haute Woman Arrested for DUI while Transporting an Adolescent
Vigo County - Last night at approximately 7:45 p.m., Trooper Rondell Shelton stopped the driver of a 2010 Dodge for failure to signal lane change at 3rd Street and East Preston. The driver was identified as Lindsay C. Chatman, age 37, of Terre Haute. During the traffic stop Trooper Shelton observed signs of impairment. Further investigation revealed Chatman had a blood alcohol content of .13%. Her fourteen-year-old daughter was also in the vehicle. Chatman was taken to the Vigo County Jail where she is currently being held without bond. The fourteen-year-old was released to a family member.
Arrested and Charges: Lindsay C. Chatman, age 37, Terre Haute, IN
Driving While Intoxicated with a Passenger less than 18 years of age, Class 6 Felony
Neglect of a Dependent, Class 6 Felony
Driving While Intoxicated, Class A Misdemeanor
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Photo: Lindsay C. Chatman
Sunday Crash In Fayette County Sends One To Hospital
ILLINOIS STATE POLICE TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by
Illinois State Police District 12
WHAT: Single Vehicle Personal Injury Traffic Crash
WHERE: Illinois 128 just south of 2850 North, Fayette County
WHEN: Mar. 14, 2021 at approximately 3:15 p.m.
VEHICLE: Unit 1- 2020 Blue Tank Truck
DRIVER: Unit 1- Richard Grotts, 49-year-old male from Vandalia, IL – Transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
PRELIMINARY: A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling south on Illinois 128 just south of 2850 North in Fayette County. The driver of Unit 1 ran off the road to the right, struck a ditch and overturned. The driver of Unit 1 was transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. According to a witness, Unit 1 was run off the road by a northbound truck that was traveling in the southbound lane. This crash is still under investigation.
ISP INVESTIGATE A HOMICIDE IN RURAL GALLATIN COUNTY
Harrisburg, IL – On March 14, 2021, the Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) - Zone 8 was requested by the Harrisburg Police Department to investigate the disappearance of a female.
During the investigation, information obtained by the ISP DCI -Zone 8 agents led them to the 800 block of High Street in Eldorado, IL where evidence of a homicide was discovered. Additional information led agents to the discovery of the missing female victim’s body in rural Gallatin County, north of Equality.
The investigation is being led by the ISP DCI – Zone 8 and is still open and ongoing. No further information will be disseminated at this time. Anyone with information is asked to contact the ISP DCI Zone 8 at (618) 542-2171.
Applications Available For Jobs At City Pool
Applications are now available to work this summer at the Mt. Carmel City Pool…if the pool reopens. Last year, the city pool along with all other municipal in Illinois were closed by the pandemic. At Monday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Joe Judge said applications are available for pool manager which pays $13 an hour; assistant manager at $12 an hour; and lifeguards who’ll be paid $11 an hour…
Judge said applications for the pool positions can be picked up at City Hall.
Ag Days Set To Return August 4th-7th
It looks like at least one summer-time tradition in Mt. Carmel is set to return this year. In a Facebook post, the Wabash County Chamber of Commerce reported that since the state is resuming the inspection of carnival rides, Ag Days will be back in uptown Mt. Carmel August 4th through 7th. The post said extra safety precautions will be made at this year’s Ag Days. Details on Ag Days entertainment and other information will be released in the coming weeks. The traditional Ag Days festival was cancelled last year and replaced with mini Ag Days events. Ag Days is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Chamber.
ISP INVESTIGATION LEADS TO SEX ABUSE CHARGES AGAINST TWO CENTRALIA MEN
CENTRALIA, IL – An Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) – Zone 8 investigation leads to the arrest of two Centralia men for sexual abuse charges.
On Thursday, March 11, 2021, the Office of Marion County State’s Attorney Timothy Hudspeth charged Wilton Nicholas Herrera-Lopez, 25-year-old male of Centralia, IL with two counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse and Kevin Josue Herrera-Guzman, 19-year-old male of Centralia, IL with Criminal Sexual Abuse.
As it relates to the two counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse (Class 2 Felony) charges against Herrera-Lopez, he is alleged to have, during the month of February 2021, committed an act of sexual penetration with two separate juveniles between the ages of 13 and 17 years of age when the defendant was at least 5 years older than the juveniles.
As it relates to the Criminal Sexual Abuse (Class A Misdemeanor) charges against Herrera-Guzman, he is alleged to have, during the month of February 2021, committed an act of sexual penetration with a juvenile between the ages of 13 and 17 years of age when the defendant was less than 5 years older than the juvenile.
ISP DCI – Zone 8 was asked on March 1, 2021 by the Centralia Police Department to lead an investigation into a criminal sexual assault that was reported to them as having occurred in the 100 block of East Broadway Street, Centralia, IL in February 2021. Herrera-Lopez and Herrera-Guzman were both taken into custody without incident by ISP DCI - Zone 8 agents on March 9, 2021 and bond was set for both individuals by the Marion County court on March 11, 2021. Both are being held in the Marion County Jail with Herrera-Lopez’s bond set at $35,000, 10% to apply and Herrera- Guzman’s bond set at $20,000, 10% to apply.
The investigation was led by the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) - Zone 8. No further information will be available.
Kevin Josue Herrera-Guzman, 19-year-old male of Centralia, IL
Wilton Nicholas Herrera-Lopez, 25-year-old male of Centralia, IL
Crash In Cumberland County Sends One To Hospital
ISP INVESTIGATES TRAFFIC CRASH WITH INJURY
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12
WHAT: Two Vehicle Traffic Crash with Injury
WHERE: 1225 E (Jewett/Toledo Rd) just north of US 40, Jewett, Cumberland County.
WHEN: March 11, 2021 at 11:52 A.M.
VEHICLES: Unit 1 – White 2014 International Truck Tractor Semi-Trailer
Unit 2 – Black 2013 Dodge SUV
DRIVERS: Unit 1 – Cole C. Hille, a 29-year-old male from Montrose, IL – Refused medical attention.
Unit 2 – Larry L. Swim, an 81-year-old male from Casey, IL – Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigative details indicate the following occurred: Unit 1 was parked in the right lane of the roadway on 1225 E. (Jewett/Toledo Rd), just north of US Route 40. The driver of Unit 1 was in the process of off-loading equipment from the flatbed trailer. Unit 2 was traveling northbound at the same location. Unit 2 struck the rear end of Unit 1 causing Unit 2 to overturn in the middle of the roadway. The driver of Unit 2 was transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No further information will be disseminated at this time.
CHARGES: The driver of Unit 1 was issued a citation for Improper Parking on the Roadway.
The driver of Unit 2 was issued citations for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid a Crash, No Valid Driver’s License, and Operation of an Uninsured Motor Vehicle.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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FORMER SCOTT AFB AIRMAN SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR DISTRIBUTING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
Jace Faugno, 25, of Paducah, Kentucky, has been sentenced to 78 months in prison for two counts of distributing child pornography. Chief United States District Judge Nancy J. Rosenstengel handed down the sentence, which includes 5 years of supervised release.
Faugno first came to the attention of law enforcement in September 2018, when a joint undercover investigation by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI) and the FBI caught him sending child pornography over Kik, a popular cell phone messaging application. At the time, Faugno was living in St. Louis, Missouri, and serving as an active duty Senior Airman at Scott Air Force Base in St. Clair County, Illinois.
During chat discussions with two different undercover agents, Faugno sent them each a video depicting a prepubescent girl being raped by an adult male. Faugno also solicited the agents to send him videos of child pornography and expressed an interest in meeting up with one agent to engage in sex acts with the undercover agent’s fictitious prepubescent daughter. Faugno ended his contact with the agents when they refused to provide him with videos of child pornography.
Faugno pled guilty to the charges in 2019. At his sentencing hearing, Faugno argued that his chats were merely a fantasy that he never intended to act upon. Judge Rosenstengel observed that while only Faugno was aware of his true intentions, “fantasy can turn into reality.”
The case was investigated by Air Force OSI and FBI Springfield and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Hoell.
Two Injured In I-57 Crash
ILLINOIS STATE POLICE TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by
Illinois State Police District 12
WHAT: Two Vehicle Personal Injury Traffic Crash
WHERE: Interstate 57 Northbound at Milepost 112.5, Marion County
WHEN: March 12, 2021 at approximately 5:59 p.m.
VEHICLES: Unit 1- 2017 White Chevrolet Malibu
Unit 2- 2012 Black Chevrolet Camaro
DRIVERS: Unit 1- John Heil, 41-year-old male from McLeansboro, IL – Flown to a regional hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Unit 2- Debra Kaczur, 57-year-old female from Centralia, IL – Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
PRELIMINARY: A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 and Unit 2 were both traveling north in the right lane on interstate 57 near milepost 112 in Marion County. The driver of Unit 1 failed to slow and struck the rear of Unit 2, causing both vehicles to begin spinning. Unit 1 struck a guardrail and rolled over. The driver of Unit 1 was flown to a regional hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver of Unit 2 was transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The roadway was closed for approximately 1.5 hours during the crash investigation.
CHARGES: Unit 1 driver was cited for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident and Following too Closely.