Justice Department Sues J.B. Pritzker, Kwame Raoul Over the Illinois Bivens Act

WASHINGTON — Tuesday, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul, challenging their unconstitutional attempt to regulate federal law enforcement officers through the so-called “Illinois Bivens Act” and “Court Access, Safety, and Participation Act.” 

Not only are the laws illegal attempts to regulate and discriminate against the federal government through novel causes of action, but, as alleged in the complaint, the laws threaten the safety of federal officers who have faced an unprecedented wave of harassment, doxxing, and even violence. Threatening officers with ruinous liability and even punitive damages for executing federal law and for simply protecting their identities and their families also chills the enforcement of federal law and compromises sensitive law enforcement operations. The danger is acute.

“The Department of Justice will steadfastly protect law enforcement from unconstitutional state laws like Illinois’ that threaten massive punitive liability and compromise the safety of our officers,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division.

“Unfortunately, Illinois politicians prefer to attack law enforcement with lawsuits and punitive damages rather than support ICE’s Criminal Alien Program, which prioritizes the safe removal of dangerous criminal aliens like murderers, child rapists, and other serious offenders,” said United States Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Courthouse arrests are only necessary in the first place because Illinois refuses to honor federal detainers at the jails and prisons, instead preferring to release criminals back into our communities.”

On her first day in office, Attorney General Bondi instructed the Department’s Civil Division to identify state and local laws, policies, and practices that facilitate violations of federal laws or impede lawful federal operations. Today’s lawsuit is the latest in a series of lawsuits brought by the Civil Division targeting illegal policies designed to thwart federal law enforcement across the country, including in New York, New Jersey, and Los Angeles, California. 

Mt. Carmel Water Customers To Receive Notice Of EPA Violation

At Monday’s Mount Carmel City Council meeting, Water Superintendent Keith Reed updated council members on a violation recently flagged by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency at the city’s water treatment plant.

Reed explained the violation involves inadequate removal of disinfection byproduct precursors, specifically total organic carbon, or TOC. The issue stems from EPA compliance calculations for the months of July through September, when quarterly averages showed the city slightly outside the required range.

Reed emphasized the violation does not pose an immediate health risk and noted that TOC itself has no direct health effects. He added that the city’s disinfection byproducts remain well within EPA limits and the water is safe to drink.

City officials are required by law to notify customers, and Reed said approximately two-thousand public notice letters will be sent out, some by mail and others electronically, along with a public notice.

The Illinois EPA has directed the city to continue monitoring TOC levels over the next quarter. Reed said this is the first TOC-related violation in nearly two decades and that staff will make minor adjustments as needed while closely monitoring water quality.

Traffic stop leads to arrest of impaired driver

On December 20, 2025, at 6:17 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Eric Powell conducted a traffic stop on a Maroon 2019 Jeep Cherokee for speeding on County Road 550 East near County Road 160 North.  Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Powell observed obvious signs of impairment coming from the driver 29-year-old Aubrey Aldridge of Newburgh.  At that point Deputy Powell began a roadside OWI investigation.  At the conclusion of his investigation, he placed Ms. Aldridge into custody and transported her to the Gibson County Detention Center.  A child was released to a family member from the scene. 
 
Upon arriving at the detention center Ms. Aldridge was charged with Possession of a Legend Drug, Possession of Marijuana, Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated, and Neglect of a Dependent. 
 
Deputy Powell was assisted in his investigation by Deputies Wes Baumgart and Wyatt Hunt.  Princeton Officer David Jones also assisted in this investigation. 
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
 

Evansville man arrested for driving on suspended license

On December 21, 2025, at 1:06 a.m. Gibson County Deputy Levi Sims conducted a traffic stop on a White 2015 Toyota Camry for speeding on US 41 near State Road 68.  Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Sims identified the driver as 28-year-old Jamar Banks of Evansville.  During a roadside investigation Deputy Sims ran Mr. Banks through the Indiana and Data Communications System and discovered that Mr. Banks was operating his vehicle while his Operator’s license was suspended on a prior Driving While Suspended Charge.  At the conclusion of the investigation Mr. Banks was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center.  Upon arriving at the detention center Mr. Banks was charged with Driving While Suspended/Prior. 
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Princeton man arrested on OWI charge

On December 21, 2025, at 9:44 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Wyatt Hunt conducted a traffic stop on a Blue 2016 Toyota Scion for speeding on Old US Highway near Hights Chapel Road in Princeton.  Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Hunt observed signs of impairment coming from the driver 21-year-old Clayton Mason of Princeton.  At that point Deputy Hunt began a roadside OWI investigation that resulted in Mr. Mason being taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center.  Upon arriving at the detention center Mr. Mason was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated/Refusal. 
 
Deputy Hunt was assisted by Deputy Shawn Holmes and Princeton Officer Logan Lashbrook. 
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
 

Rollover accident leads to OWI arrest

On December 20, 2025, at 1:09 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a rollover accident on State Road 65 just south of County Road 400 North near Patoka.  Upon arriving emergency service personnel found a Black 2000 Toyota Tundra had overturned on the highway.  Upon speaking with the driver, 21-year-old Garrett Heldt of Hazleton law enforcement detected obvious clues that he was intoxicated.  At that point Deputy Michael Bates began a roadside DUI investigation that resulted in Mr. Heldt being taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center.  Upon arriving at the detention center Mr. Heldt was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.   
 
Deputy Levi Sims and Princeton Officer Logan Lashbrook assisted Deputy Bates in his investigation. 
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Businessman Offers Financial Support To Improve Student Safety

A local insurance agent has offered to help improve student safety in the Wabash Unit School District 348.

During Monday night’s school board meeting, State Farm agent Dan Schonert addressed the board and offered to make a financial donation to help the district purchase cameras for school buses. Schonert said the idea came after a near-miss incident involving his own grandchildren, when a vehicle drove past a stopped school bus as children were getting off.

Schonert told the board he has spoken with several district bus drivers and noted that stop-arm violations continue to occur, even with warning lights activated. He said onboard cameras could act as an added deterrent and provide clearer evidence when violations happen.

Schonert offered an initial $2,500 donation from his local State Farm agency. He also explained that through State Farm’s Good Neighbor Grant matching program, the company would match that amount for auto safety-related projects — potentially providing a total of $5,000 toward the purchase of bus cameras.

Schonert emphasized the offer was made to support student safety and said the decision on whether to move forward rests with the school district. The board took the offer under advisement.

WGH Board Approves 2026 Officers

The Wabash General Hospital Board of Directors has approved its slate of officers for 2026. During Tuesday’s meeting, board members named Doug McPherson to serve as board president for the next three years. McPherson replaces Toni Brines, who has served as board chair for the past three years. Also approved for one-year terms were Dr. David Miller as vice-chairman, Janet Storey as treasurer, and Kevin Raber as secretary. Meanwhile, on Monday, the Wabash County Commissioners approved the reappointment of Janet Storey, Dr. David Miller, and Zed Moore to three-year terms on the Wabash General Hospital Board. Storey has served on the hospital board since 1989, Miller since 2020, and Moore was appointed earlier this year.

Audio: County Board Discussion & Public Input On RWE Solar Project

Here is the audio from Monday’s Wabash County Commissioner meeting as commissioners approve an application for a solar project in rural Wabash County.

Effingham County man sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for financially exploiting an elder

BENTON, Ill. – A district judge sentenced an Effingham County man to 12 years’ imprisonment after he admitted to exploiting an 89-year-old man out of more than $400,000.

Edward L. Stief, Jr., 42, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, one count of mail fraud and one count of unlawful monetary transactions in criminal derived property. The judge ordered him to pay $411,773.51 in restitution.

“Not only did Stief manipulate his victim into cashing life insurance policies and draining his bank accounts, but he also convinced the man to leave the care of a nursing home where he was harmed after being isolated,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “This 12-year prison sentence sends a clear message that we will protect vulnerable populations against predators who would prey upon them.”

According to court documents, Stief met the victim in May 2023 after becoming acquainted with him while offering lawn care and landscaping services. Shortly thereafter, Stief used several misrepresentations to convince the victim to appoint him as his Financial and Healthcare Power of Attorney.

"The defendant in this case didn't just steal money; he systematically targeted an individual's life under the guise of care and friendship. By exploiting the legal authority of a Power of Attorney for personal gain, he violated the most fundamental level of trust,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge, Christopher J.S. Johnson. “Removing predators like this from our neighborhoods is essential to making our community a safer place for everyone, especially our seniors.”

After becoming the victim’s Power of Attorney, Stief became a signatory on the victim’s bank accounts. In August 2023, he talked the victim into cashing out his life insurance policies and deposited most of the victim’s money into Stief’s personal bank accounts. Over the course of the next several months, Stief spent the entirety of the victim’s life savings on himself. In addition, Stief also took the majority of the victim’s personal items including his gold coin collection, gold necklaces, guns and watches.

In October 2023, Stief persuaded the victim to leave a nursing home facility and move into his full-time care. Under Stief’s supervision, the victim was not cared for and his medical needs were not met.

The FBI Springfield Field Office and the Effingham Police Department contributed to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Howard prosecuted the case.

The National Elder Fraud Hotline is a service from the U.S. Department of Justice that helps victims over 60 years report crimes and access resources. The hotline is available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. ET, at (833) 372-8311 or (833) FRAUD-11. Callers can remain anonymous, and translation services are available.