State Targets Holiday Scofflaws Abusing Disability Parking at Malls Statewide

Secretary of State Jesse White announced that Secretary of State Police will be conducting parking stings at shopping malls statewide throughout the holiday season and ticketing individuals who illegally park in spaces reserved for persons with disabilities.

Secretary of State Police will enforce the provisions of the Parking Program for Persons with Disabilities at shopping centers on Black Friday in Chicago, Fairview Heights, Peoria, Rockford, Schaumburg and Springfield on Black Friday, Nov. 25 as it marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. Secretary of State Police will also be enforcing the program in other areas of the state throughout the holiday season.

“Our mission is not to issue tickets, but to ensure that accessible parking spaces are available to those who need them,” said White. “Parking illegally in a space reserved for people with disabilities means a possible driver’s license suspension and a hefty fine, money which could otherwise be used on gifts. Remember, if you don’t belong there, don’t park there.”

Drivers caught misusing a placard face a six-month driver’s license suspension and a $600 fine. Repeat violators will face a one-year driver’s license suspension and a $750 fine for a second offense; for third or subsequent offenses, violators will face a $1,000 fine plus a one-year driver’s license revocation. The fine for parking in an accessible parking space without a disability placard or disability license plates can be up to $350. Using a deceased person’s placard or a fraudulent placard can result in a $2,500 fine and one-year revocation of a driver’s license.

Currently, there are 521,038 permanent placards, 26,294 meter-exempt placards, 47,940 disability plates and 6,984 disabled veteran plates registered in Illinois.

Secretary White urges individuals to report abuse of parking spaces for people with disabilities by calling 217-785-0309. Callers should be prepared to report placard and license plate numbers, as well as the location of vehicles. Individuals can also report abuse via the Secretary of State’s website at ilsos.gov and complete the Parking Program for Persons with Disabilities Abuse Complaint Form.

Wabash/Edwards OREP Results Announced

Illinois State Police (ISP) District 19 Interim Commander, Lieutenant Kerry Sutton, announces the results of an Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrol (OREP) held in Wabash and Edwards Counties during November.

These OREPs provided extra patrol coverage for the ISP so officers could focus on saving lives by making sure all vehicle occupants were buckled up.

Violations Enforcement Activity

Safety Belt Citations 7

Child Restraint Citations 0

Total Citations 10

Total Written Warnings 16

Most motorists know safety belts save lives, but some ignore their safety and that of their families by neglecting to use safety belts and child restraint devices. These patrols reinforce the occupant protection message by focusing on those who ignore the law. Lives can be saved if people simply “buckle up!” This project is funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Belleville Woman Sentenced to Prison for Stealing Elderly Identities

BENTON, Ill. – On Tuesday, November 22, 2022, Ashley McKinney, 39, of Belleville, Illinois, was sentenced to 54 months in federal prison for Identity Theft, Conspiracy to Commit Bank and Wire Fraud, and Money Laundering.

According to court documents, for almost a year, Ashley McKinney defrauded elderly women in southern Illinois with the help of her co-conspirator, Erica Rose. They were true partners in crime. Rose abused her employment as an in-home caretaker and stole the identities of her elderly clients. Then she passed the stolen information along to McKinney to attempt to drain their bank accounts through counterfeit checks and fraudulent purchases. As an example, McKinney tried to buy a used Tesla online after stealing the identity and savings of an 86-year-old woman from Belleville, Illinois. When the deal fell through because the Tesla had mechanical problems, McKinney bought herself a Mercedes Benz instead. After she took possession of the vehicle, the victim’s bank stopped payment on the counterfeit check and the online car dealer repossessed the luxury vehicle. The pair were caught after numerous families reported identity theft to police shortly after Rose was caring for their loved one. In each case, McKinney was found committing fraud with the identity.

Rose was previously sentenced to prison in May 2021.

“While identity theft is always a serious crime, it’s particularly troubling when victims are elderly,” said United States Attorney Rachelle Crowe. “The crimes in this case went beyond financial loss. They impacted whole families during already difficult times. We will always prioritize holding defendants accountable who prey on vulnerable victims.”

The investigation was conducted by detectives from the Edwardsville Police Department, Belleville Police Department, Swansea Police Department, and St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Luke J. Weissler

Mt. Carmel City Council Agenda

AGENDA

CITY OF MOUNT CARMEL

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

Monday, November 28, 2022 at 5:00 pm

· Call to Order

o Pledge of Allegiance

o Roll Call

· Approve Minutes

o Minutes of meeting held 11/14/2022

· Visitors (topic discussed by visitor(s) is limited to 5 minutes)

· Reports and Communications

o Mayor Judge

o Commissioner Meeks Streets, Cemeteries and Parks

o Commissioner Ikemire Finance and Senior Citizens

o Commissioner Dulgar Water and Sewer

o Commissioner Zimmerman Fire, Health & Safety, City Hall and Garbage

· Staff Reports

o Ryan Turner Brady Waldrop Paris Pennington

o Michael McWilliams Francis Speth Mike Gidcumb

New Business

o Consent Agenda

§ Approval/denial of new City Attorney

§ Pay all bills providing proper signature

§ Approve next year’s meeting/holiday schedule/time change

§ 2nd Reading, Ordinance 2080-Enter into agreement with Rural Water as a backup source for their water supply.

o Removal of items from the Consent Agenda

o Put lot 318 W. 2nd up for sale

· Executive Session

· Motion to Adjourn

· Liquor Control Meeting-N/A

Mt. Carmel Man Jailed For Domestic Battery After Throwing Milkshake At Family Member

On 11/21/22, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Clayton S. Kirkman, age 36, of Mt. Carmel, for Domestic Battery and Reckless Driving. MCPD received numerous calls regarding a white Toyota driving around Mt. Carmel speeding, running stop signs, and squealing its tires. Police stopped the vehicle in the 300 block of E 9th Street and found Kirkman to be the driver. Kirkman’s excuse for his driving was to get the attention of a cop. As police were citing Kirkman for reckless driving a family member arrived on scene. Kirkman became upset with the family member and threw a milkshake he was holding towards them, striking them in the head. Kirkman was then placed under arrest at this time for domestic battery. Kirkman was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and held pending a determination for pre-trial detention.

Foul Play Not Suspected in Death Of Bellmont Man

From Wabash County Sheriff J. Derek Morgan:

On 11/21/22 at approximately 11:55 a.m. the Wabash County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call at 314 E Hackberry St. in Bellmont, for a deceased 48 year old male. The Sheriff's Office contacted Wabash County Coroner Shaun Keepes, and his office responded. Coroner Keepes identified the deceased as Michael W. VanMatre 48, of Bellmont. The Illinois State Police Crime Scene Services were requested. An autopsy was performed at the Wabash County Coroner's Office on 11/22/22. The investigation remains ongoing and no foul play is suspected.

MILL SHOALS MAN CONVICTED OF ONLINE SEXTORTION SCHEME TARGETING TEEN GIRLS ON FACEBOOK

On Friday, November 18, 2022, a federal jury found Michael A. Ferris, 44, of Mill Shoals, Illinois, guilty of twenty-five felony counts of extortion, cyberstalking, and production, distribution, and possession of child pornography involving nine minor victims.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, from at least March 2020 until November 2020, Ferris targeted teenage girls on Facebook and engaged in a pattern of extortion, commonly known as “sextortion.” His victims ranged in age from 11 to 17 years old, and traveled from across the country to confront him at trial.

As part of his scheme, Ferris created fake Facebook personas appearing to be teenage girls. He also joined Facebook groups meant for teenagers and survivors of sexual abuse. Ferris sent unsolicited messages to teenage girls under the guise of being a peer looking to make a new friend. If the teens responded, Ferris tried to convince them to send a nude photograph or answer personal questions about themselves. Ferris then used that information as leverage to coerce them into sending more explicit photos, answering more sexual questions, or performing sexual acts on themselves or others while Ferris watched on video chat. If his victims refused to comply, or pleaded to stop, Ferris harassed and threatened them until they kept going, usually threatening to send the girls’ photos or answers to personal questions to their friends, parents, police, or child protective services. Even after Ferris’ victims complied with his demands, he would often still distribute their sexually explicit images to friends and family.

“Ferris preyed upon some of the most vulnerable people in the community, children, by using shame and fear to gain power over them,” said United States Attorney Rachelle Crowe. “Fortunately, those minor victims and their families came from across the country to testify and hold Ferris accountable for his disturbing demands. Discussions with children about their social media use and who they can talk to about problems online helps to combat predators like Michael Ferris.”

“I commend those that bravely came forward to testify to help get Ferris off our streets and away from other children he might harm,” said HSI Chicago Special Agent in Charge R. Sean Fitzgerald. “HSI and our law enforcement partners will continue to work within our communities to aid and assist victims of these crimes and bring the predators to justice.”

The investigation was conducted by agents from Homeland Security Investigations—Springfield with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations domestic and international offices, Jackson County Oregon Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Illinois Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police, and Aurora Missouri Police Department. Victim and Witness Support was provided by the United States Attorneys’ Office from the Southern District of Illinois, the Eastern District of Missouri, and Homeland Security Investigations.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ali Burns and Luke Weissler prosecuted the case.

Market Street About To Lose Another Building

The business district in Mt. Carmel is about to lose another building. At their meeting on Monday, Wabash County Commissioners Tim Hocking and Rob Dean voted to buy the former Accurate Tech Service building at 412 Market Street for $5,000. Many years ago, the building housed Bud Brown Sporting Goods. The commissioners also approved spending approximately $28,000 with Jeff Guisewite, Incorporated to demolish the building. The acquisition and subsequent demolition of the building, which was paid for with ARPA funds, will give the county a total of four connecting lots north to the alley. Although no plans were discussed for future use of the lots, it’s been no secret that the current courthouse is maxed out in terms of space.  Commissioner Scott West was absent from Monday’s meeting.

IECC Board Of Trustees Meeting Report

The Board of Trustees of Illinois Eastern Community College District No. 529 met Tuesday night, November 15, 2022, at Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, Illinois, Trustees approved the Estimated Tax Levy Resolution for calendar year 2022.  The tax rate extension for IECC is expected to drop for the fourth consecutive year.

 Updates were authorized for the current Board policy concerning Allied Health Technology Requirements.

 Trustees approved the listing of holidays for Administrative, Technical, Professional Non-Faculty, Clerical & Maintenance Staff for Calendar Year 2023.

Monday

January 16

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Monday

February 20

President’s Day

Friday

April 7

Spring Holiday

Monday

May 29

Memorial Day

Monday

June 19

Juneteenth Observed

Monday

July 4

Independence Day

Monday

September 4

Labor Day

Monday

October 9

Columbus Day

Friday

November 10

Veterans Day

Thursday

November 23

Thanksgiving

Friday

November 24

Thanksgiving

 December 19-22

Winter Break

Monday

December 25

Christmas Day Observed

 December 26-29

Winter Break

Monday

January 1

New Year’s Day

 The board accepted Articulation Agreements with Eastern Illinois University, Indiana State University, McKendree University, Southern Illinois University.   

Trustees approved the schedule of regular meetings for calendar year 2023.

            Tuesday, January 17, 2023, 6:15 p.m., Olney Central College

            Tuesday, February 21, 2023, 6:15 p.m., Wabash Valley College

            Tuesday, March 21, 2023, 6:15 p.m., Frontier Community College

            Tuesday, April 25, 2023, 6:15 p.m., Lincoln Trail College

            Tuesday, May 16, 2023, 6:15 p.m., Olney Central College

            Tuesday, June 20, 2023, 6:15 p.m., Wabash Valley College

            Tuesday, July 18, 2023, 6:15 p.m., Frontier Community College

            Tuesday, August 15, 2023, 6:15 p.m., Lincoln Trail College

            Tuesday, September 19, 2023, 6:15 p.m., Olney Central College

            Tuesday, October 17, 2023, 6:15 p.m., Wabash Valley College

            Tuesday, November 21, 2023, 6:15 p.m., Frontier Community College

            Tuesday, December 12, 2023, 6:15 p.m., Lincoln Trail College

 The Board approved the Marathon Petroleum Company LP Robinson Refinery Real Property Tax Assessment Settlement Agreement for the four-year period of tax years 2023-2026.

 The Board passed a resolution to accept the FY2022 Audit as completed by Martin Hood LLC for year ending June 30, 2022. The audit was clean, and will be sent to the Illinois Community College Board by December 31, 2022.

 The Board approved the Annual Financial Report. Pursuant to Section 3-22.2 of the Public Community College Act, the report will be published locally and filed with the ICCB on a timely basis.

 The Board approved an Authorizing Resolution to allow the Treasurer of the IECC Board to utilize the ISDLAF as an additional investment source for the District. The Illinois School District Liquid Asset Fund (ISDLAF) is an investment opportunity available to Illinois school districts and community colleges.

Employment was approved for Kristina Isaac, Nursing Instructor, OCC/WVC, and Benjamin Bomer, Chemistry Instructor, WVC both effective January 3, 2023. Matthew McCue, Head Baseball Coach, FCC, effective October 24, 2022. Sonja Music, Assistant Director HR Employee Achievement, DO, Jennifer Dunn, Student Services Specialist, FCC/DO, and Donna Sigler, Office Assistant, WVC, all effective November 21, 2022.

A change in classified was approved for Tabatha Niduaza, Director of Academic Success Center, WVC, to Director of Instructional Services, WVC, effective November 21, 2022.

A resignation was accepted from Heather Sandy, Art Instructor, OCC, effective December 31, 2022. Retirements were accepted for Wanda Douglas, Nursing Instructor, OCC, effective January 1, 2023 and Lawrence Harbaugh Jr., Custodian, OCC, effective November 1, 2022.

Next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, December 13, at 6:15 p.m. at Frontier Community College, Fairfield, Illinois.

Make the right choices this Thanksgiving: Buckle up and drive sober

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies throughout Illinois are reminding motorists to buckle up and drive sober this Thanksgiving holiday. Unfortunately, some motorists and their passengers will travel without ever buckling their seat belts, which drastically increases the chance of injury or death if they’re involved in a crash.

“Whether you’re traveling a few blocks or several hundred miles, remember to always wear your seat belt and plan for a sober ride home,” said Cynthia Watters, IDOT’s bureau chief of Safety Programs and Engineering. “Too frequently, law enforcement sees the tragic results of driving impaired and not wearing a seat belt, both of which are the leading causes of deaths on our roads and easily preventable.”

Proper seat belt use is the single most effective way to save your life in a crash, which is why ISP and local law enforcement agencies are teaming up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through Nov. 28 for the Click It or Ticket high-visibility enforcement campaign. During the 2021 Thanksgiving holiday weekend, 12 people were killed in motor vehicle related crashes in Illinois, four of which were drug/alcohol related.

“The day before Thanksgiving, sometimes called Blackout Wednesday, we often see college students returning home for the holiday and going out to drink with friends,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “It is also an evening we see many drunk drivers. It’s simple: If you’re going to drink, don’t drive.”

This Thanksgiving, you can make all law enforcement officers jobs simpler and, more importantly, safer by driving sober and buckling up.

The Click it or Ticket campaign is administered by IDOT with federal traffic safety funds. The effort coincides with IDOT’s “It’s Not a Game” radio, digital and TV campaign that reminds motorists of the consequences of impaired driving as well as distracted driving, work zone safety, pedestrian safety, motorcycle awareness and occupant safety. Visit www.itsnotagameillinois.com for more information