GOP Sues Pritzker Seeking Exemption From 10-Person Limit
CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois’ Democratic governor was sued Monday by the state’s Republican Party, which is seeking exemption from the 10-person limit on public gatherings. The Chicago Tribune reports the GOP contends in the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago that Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s limit on in-person gatherings to battle the coronavirus curtails people’s First Amendment rights. The GOP wants the court to exempt political parties from the cap on gatherings and seeks permission to hold meetings without size restrictions during the time leading up to the November election. – Associated Press
19 Deaths And 473 New COVID-19 Cases Announced For Illinois
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The number of coronavirus deaths in Illinois increased by 19 to 6,326, the Illinois Department of Public Health announced Monday. An additional 473 new cases of COVID-19 was reported Monday by the health department, bringing the state’s total to 133,016 cases. It was the lowest daily tally of cases since March 30 and were the result of 18,627 new processed tests. The state’s preliminary seven-day positivity rate for cases remains at 3%. On Sunday, Illinois also saw 19 deaths from COVID-19. – Associated Press
Must Chicago Destroy Records Of Police Complaints After 5 Years? Illinois Supreme Court Scheduled To Decide This Week
In the midst of an almost deafening national and local outcry over police abuses, the Illinois Supreme Court may order the city of Chicago to destroy all records of complaints against police officers that are more than five years old, potentially undermining attempts to identify problematic officers. A decision is scheduled to be issued Thursday in a legal challenge brought by the union representing Chicago police officers, asserting that their contract with the city requires the destruction of old complaints. – Patrick Smith – WBEZ
Judge Allows Man Accused Of Rape To Be Own Lawyer At Trial
URBANA, Ill. (AP) — A Champaign County judge ruled Monday he will allow a former University of Illinois police officer accused of raping four women to proceed in his case without a lawyer. The News-Gazette in Champaign reports Jerald Sandage told Judge Roger Webber he understood he had a right to an attorney and that one would be appointed if he couldn’t afford one. Sandage, 49, also said he understood other admonitions from Webber, among them that representing himself without a lawyer would involve more than just “telling your story” and that he wouldn’t be assisted by a stand-by lawyer. Sandage of LeRoy is charged with sexual assault, sexual abuse and intimidation for alleged attacks on four women in incidents that date back to June 2012. Sandage was a University of Illinois police officer for 12 years and resigned in February. – Associated Press
Bloomington Looks To Revive Parts Of Downtown Plan
Bloomington City Council members expressed a desire Monday to revive a three-year-old downtown revitalization plan now that a major component is off the table. The council previously shelved the 2017 report after Bloomington Public Library officials stated their intentions to expand at the library’s current location rather than take part in a so-called catalyst project that would have included a downtown Connect Transit bus transfer center. – Eric Stock – WGLT
