Chicago's Alternative News

The latest on December gun violence in Chicago.  25-year-old Earron Moore was killed in a drive by shooting in the East Garfield Park neighborhood Tuesday morning.  His death brings the shooting death toll for December to 18, and the 2017 total to 602.   Cook County voters will get the chance to vote on a non-binding question in the March primary on whether recreational marijuana should be legalized.  County commissioners voted unanimously to put the advisory referendum on the ballot.   A Naperville man is accused of leaving used women’s underwear and pornography along a Pratt’s Wayne Woods path.  67-year-old William Winnie is charged with littering, disorderly conduct, and obscenity.  Forest preserve officials put up cameras in the area which helped lead to his arrest.

The latest on recent shooting deaths in Chicago.  23-year-old Romell Durr is the latest reported victim of gun violence.  Police say he was killed Tuesday and is the latest of 15 shooting deaths so far in the month of December.  There have now been 599 recorded shooting deaths in 2017. Bus and train commuters are going to have to pay more for Chicago Transit Authority rides next year.  The transit agency’s board unanimously approved raising fares by 25 cents next year.  Cash, bus and trainfares will go from $2.25 to $2.50. Naperville police and Dupage County deputies arrest a woman accused of prostituting at her business.  47-year-old Yanfang Pan was taken into custody Monday afternoon at the Sunlight Spa on Butterfield Road in Warrenville.  She could have to spend a year in jail and pay a $1,500 fine.

Another shooting death was recorded in Chicago, bringing the total to just under 600 for the year.  647 total homicides have been committed in 2017 with 598 of those being shooting deaths.  14 people have been gunned down in December.   Illinois residents are being reminded that if they need health insurance coverage for next year they have to register by Friday night.  The Illinois Department of Insurance says people looking to purchase insurance should visit getcovered.illinois.gov to review plans. Authorities say a 13-year-old girl fought off a robber in St. Charles.  Police say 43-year-old Javier Prado allegedly demanded money and then threw her to the ground and touched her.  The girl reportedly bit him and got away.  Prado is charged with robbery and sexual abuse.

The Chicago shooting death toll for December is up to 13.  The latest reported incidents have taken place in the Roseland, Gage Park and North Lawndale neighborhoods.  66 people have been wounded by gunfire in the past 12 days alone.  597 people have been shot to death in the city this year.   The Chabad Center for Jewish Life at the University of Illinois plans to dedicate its new Menorah this week after the previous one was vandalized several times in recent years.  The dedication will be tomorrow at 5 pm.  Crews installed the new structure Monday morning.    Wheaton police say two homes were burglarized in one day.  Both homes were targeted on December 2nd, the first one North Woodlawn and the second on East Pinegrove.  Police say in each case burglars ransacked the home and took valuables including several pieces of jewelry.

Police say 26-year-old Moncreef Miller is one of the latest victims of a fatal Chicago shooting.  Miller was shot to death Thursday afternoon in the Austin neighborhood on the west side.  11 people have been gunned down so far in December, 594 for the year.   Illinois transportation officials are asking for the public’s input in its annual traveler opinion survey.  The IDOT survey is available through the end of the month.  Responders are asked about topics like road conditions, commuting habits and driving behavior.  This is the first year the survey is available online.   A bystander helps Naperville police catch a man trying to kidnap a young girl.  Police say a witness saw 37-year-old Early Kluss try to lure a young girl into his car near a bust top Friday morning.  The witness gave police his description and license plate number and they arrested him Friday.  

Police have released more victims’ names in shooting deaths this week in Chicago.  19-year-old Tra’Don Sanders was shot Sunday afternoon on the south side.  Isiah High was gunned down the day before in Cragin on the northwest side.  Shooting death totals are 6 for the month and 589 for the year. Illinois taxpayers will be paying an in-between rate on 2017 income as a result of the state’s tax increase.  The Illinois Department of Revenue has calculated that the blended rate will be 4.35% for individual returns that are due in April. A PNC Bank in Naperville was robbed Thursday afternoon.  The FBI and Naperville police are investigating after a robbery was reported at the bank on Ogden near Washington.  Police say the suspect left the area on foot and headed north toward Jewel.

A fifth person has been gunned down in Chicago this week, bringing the death toll for the year to 588 when it comes to shooting deaths.  The latest incidents have been recorded in the New City, Belmont Cragin and Bridgeport neighborhoods.  Over 2800 people have survived gunshot wounds this year. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is ending a program that uses data mining to identify children at risk.  DCFS Director Beverly Walker says they’re suspending the $366,000 Rapid Safety Feedback program saying it’s unreliable.   Authorities say a stepfather hit his teenage stepson with a car that damaged their home in North Aurora.  Police say a fight between the two resulted in 33-year-old Allan Richard facing charges.  He was arrested at his home in Batavia.  

The shooting death toll in Chicago has reached 587 including four deaths reported this week.  The latest name released was 42-year-old Curley Harvey in the East Garfield Park neighborhood.  The Belmont Cragin and New City neighborhoods have also recently been hit with violence.   The state of Illinois is launching an all-hours helpline to provide assistance to those impacted by opioid addiction.  Governor Bruce Rauner and members of the state’s opioid overdose prevention and intervention task force announced the creation of 1-833-2FINDHELP Tuesday morning.   A man accused of leading police on a high-speed chase in Oak Brook is in the DuPage County jail on a $250,000 bail.  25-year-old Tywon Pinkney is charged with driving a stolen car and fleeing police.  Police tracked him down Sunday and arrested him in Broadview after a chase.  

Four people have been killed by gun violence in Chicago since the start of the month on Friday.  42-year-old Curley Harvey was confirmed dead on December 1st in the East Garfield Park neighborhood.  There have been 636 shootings deaths in Chicago this year.   Authorities investigate a bomb threat at the Illinois State Capitol.  Police evacuated the building after the bomb threat was phoned in around 2:30 Monday afternoon.  Investigators did not find anything and the building was opened again a few hours later.   A man dies in a single vehicle crash in Aurora over the weekend.  Officers responded to the West Indian Trail and Deerpath Road around 10:30 Saturday night.  They found 22-year-old Brian Dorantes after he’d been partially ejected from the car after hitting two trees.  He died at the scene.  

Four people have been killed by gun violence in Chicago since the start of the month on Friday.  Murders were reported in the Garfield Park, Bridgeport, and Belmont Cragin neighborhoods over the weekend.  Three have been 636 shootings deaths in Chicago this year.   State leaders celebrated Illinois’ 199th birthday with eyes on next year’s 200th.  Governor Rauner participated in events at Chicago’s Navy Pier Sunday.  There will be flag raising ceremonies across Illinois today to mark the beginning of the state’s bicentennial year.   The man whose mother’s remains were dumped into Lake Michigan has pleaded not guilty in her murder.  55-year-old Brian Peck was indicted for first degree murder and trying to cover up the death of 76-year-old Gail Peck.  He claims he killed his mother in self-defense and then “hacked her up.”

Police have identified the victim of a deadly shooting in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood.  28-year-old Marquis Banks was shot to death Sunday evening.  35 people have been shot to death in Chicago in November, bringing the homicide total to 631 for the year.   Governor Rauner says a $60 billion package to provide health care to millions of low income Illinois residents will save a billion dollars over current expenses.  Critics are deriding it as a “stealth deal” that they say is costing more than expected.    Naperville police investigate an armed robbery Tuesday night.  Police were called to a 7-11 on Diehl and Route 59 targeted by two suspects that got away on foot after taking an undisclosed amount of money.  They’re still at large.  Call Naperville police or Crimestoppers if you know anything.

There have been 37 Chicago homicides this month and 34 have been shooting deaths.  It brings the death toll for 2017 to 630, with 581 of those the result of gun violence.  So far this week three people have been shot and killed, the latest in the Austin and Chicago Lawn neighborhoods. Governor Bruce Rauner says improved detection and better scrutiny of packages in the mail will reduce the spread of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.  The governor toured the Chicago International mailing facility on Tuesday with Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti.  Illinois State Police Director Leo Schmitz also attended. A high school teacher is accused of sexual misconduct.  Jennifer Boudinot, who graduated from Downers Grove North High School in the late 90’s says she was harassed, and since then more women have contacted her saying they were either harassed or assaulted.  The teacher is on leave.

There have been 37 Chicago homicides this month and 34 have been shooting deaths.  It brings the death toll for 2017 to 630, with 581 of those the result of gun violence.  So far this week three people have been shot and killed, the latest in the Austin and Chicago Lawn neighborhoods.   Two wealthy businessmen seeking the democratic nomination for Illinois Governor released partial tax returns on Monday.  J.B. Pritzker and Chris Kennedy are part of the field running against republican Governor Bruce Rauner, who is seeking a second term.  They released partial returns yesterday. Naperville police are considering possible connections in a rash of car thefts and burglaries in the past week.  In all, 33 vehicles were burglarized and three were stolen with key fobs left inside.  In all cases, the vehicles were unlocked.

The November shooting death toll is up to 32 out of 35 total homicides.  There have been 628 homicide victims in 2017 with 579 of those the result of deadly shootings.  27-year-old Daimmyon Hackman is the latest name released.  He was shot to death on the southside on Black Friday.   State officials are encouraging drivers to prepare for the onset of winter.  Officials are pushing the theme, “Winter Weather—Get it Together.”  The State Department of Transportation has posted a safe driving video online.   Authorities have found the body of a missing Aurora man.  61-year-old Michael Ryan had been missing since November 13th.  His body was recovered in the West Aurora Forest Preserve near Indian Trail and Star Grass on Saturday morning.  Police say no foul play is suspected.

Out of 620 homicides in Chicago in 2017, 572 have been the result of gun violence.  27 homicides have been reported in November so far and all but one of them have been shooting deaths.  This week 13 people have been shot with 2 dead and 11 wounded.   Nearly 2 million passengers are expected to travel through O’Hare and Midway airports during the Thanksgiving holiday.  The Chicago Department of Aviation says the 2 airports will be among the busiest in the nation over the next week.  Sunday is expected to be the busiest travel day at both. Authorities say a convicted sex offender hid his abuse of children in order to fraudulently obtain citizenship.  The Department of Justice says 49-year-old Eleazar Valenzuela is a registered sex offender that was naturalized in June of 2000 even though he had sexually abused a minor.

Out of 619 homicides in Chicago and 2017, 572 have been the result of gun violence.  26 homicides have been reported in November so far and all but one of them have been shooting deaths.  This week 13 people have been shot with 2 dead and 11 wounded.   Illinois election officials have voted to remain in a multistate voter registration database.  Advocates had urged officials to withdraw from the Kansas-run interstate voter registration crosscheck program and now plan to take the fight to the state legislature.   Local law enforcement readies for a no-refusal operation tomorrow night, just before Thanksgiving.  Officials are trying to combat drunk driving and officers will be scattered around Kane and DuPage county.  The no-refusal system is for drivers who decline to submit a breath test after a DUI arrest.

21-year-old Miguel Ford is identified as one of the latest victims of fatal shootings in Chicago.  Ford was pronounced dead Wednesday the 15th in Englewood.  He was one of 9 people shot and killed last week.  So far this month 23 people have been shot to death.   Four out of five Illinois quarries that backfill with concrete and other demolition waste show higher-than-allowed levels of toxin.  The Illinois EPA tested for toxic materials last spring and results show nine sites in Cook County were in violation as well as 15 in Kane County. An Elgin man faces child porn charges.  33-year-old Devin Moberg allegedly solicited sexually explicit videos from two underage victims, getting them to send pictures of them engaging in sex acts via social media.  Moberg appeared in court Friday and had his bail set at $3 million.

New statistics show out of more than 600 homicides in Chicago in 2017 so far, 570 have been shooting deaths.  Nearly 2,700 people have been treated for gunshot wounds out of 3,260 people that have taken a bullet.  The homicide count for 2017 stands at 614 as of this morning.   Governor Bruce Rauner has signed a tax credit into law worth up to $750 for property owners in 18 counties that suffered flood damage earlier this year.  The legislation signed Thursday creates a natural disaster tax credit that eligible property owners can apply to their 2017 state income taxes.   A Des Plaines school district says its superintendent is expected to resign next month amid allegations of sexual harassment.  Floyd Williams is accused of sexually harassing several women on staff at Des Plaines Elementary School District 62.  

Six new deaths this week so far as a result of Chicago gun violence.  It brings the total for the month of November to 19 and the 2017 death toll to 567.  18-year-old DeShawn Johnson was gunned down in the Uptown neighborhood this week, the latest name released. State officials are offering safety tips as firearm deer hunting season gets underway this weekend.  Officials say hunters using tree stands should secure themselves with a harness.  Most of the nearly 30 hunting incidents last year involved hunters falling from tree stands or while climbing up or down. St. Charles police are once again reminding the public to lock their vehicle doors.  Police say every single victim in a string of car burglaries on the northeast side of town earlier this week were the result of owners leaving them unlocked.  An unlocked car could give thieves access to one’s garage or home.

More shooting deaths in Chicago reported this week.  The shooting death toll for November is now up to 16 halfway through the month.  The third and fourth fatal shootings in the city this week were added to the statistics on Tuesday.  No new names have been released at this time.   Governor Bruce Rauner has chosen the new acting director of the Illinois Department of Emergency Management.  Rauner chose retired U.S. Navy Reserves captain and deputy director of the agency Joseph Klinger this week.   A massage Parlor in St. Charles could be in trouble for alleged prostitution.  Police say the Shangri-La Spa and Sauna could have their license revoked after an undercover officer says an employee offered to have sex with him for $100 dollars.