TOP NEWS STORIES ON WGFA for Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Judge halts Pontiac Prison transfers; Rutherford reacts…. Pontiac Mayor lashes out at State over prison closing…..C-I school district plans for high school deactivation….. New Crime rates in IL…..
Weather—Partly sunny today, high near 44. Cloudy tonight, low near 30 and Thursday, sunshine with high at 37.
–Girls Prep B-Ball continues at CPCI and Prarie Central –
New figures show crime in Illinois fell by more than 3 percent last year, continuing a 13-year slide that resulted in 210,000 fewer crimes than in 1994. The numbers were released today by the Illinois State Police. Locally, Iroquois and Will counties showed a crime rate decline — 19.8 percent for Iroquois, 0.5 percent for Will. Rate increases for the four other local counties: Ford, 15.7 percent, Grundy, 18.7 percent,
Kankakee, 1.5 percent, and Livingston, 5.3%. *
Inmate transfers from the Pontiac Correctional Center have been halted, at least for the time being. A Johnson County Judge issued a ruling, preventing any “unusual or extraordinary” transfers of Illinois Department of Corrections inmates until December 1st, when the next court hearing will take place. The order was granted at the request of AFSCME workers statewide. State Senator Dan Rutherford is pleased with the ruling. The ruling will slow the state’s rush to close the Pontiac prison, according to AFSCME spokesman Anders Lindall. The AFSCME lawsuit filed in Southern Illinois, argues that the state should not transfer Pontiac inmates before it resolves a union grievance over safety risks posed by the transfers. The union has accused Illinois Prison officials of moving too quickly to transfer inmates out of the soon to be closed Pontiac prison. AFSCME is also hoping for a last minute miracle that could save the lock-up in Pontiac. A rally aimed at that is planned for this afternoon in Springfield.
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The state is putting prisoners back out in the streets. That’s what Pontiac Mayor Scott McCoy thinks. During a Tuesday press conference, McCoy blasted the state, saying prison officials are not bringing people back into the corrections system once they violate parole. McCoy says it’s a strategy that allows the governor to tout how low Illinois’ recidivism rates are. But McCoy says it dangerous to let people skate by on parole violations. He points out the person of interest in the slayings of actress Jennifer Hudson’s relatives was on parole last summer. Coincidentally, the person was housed at the Pontiac prison for a period of time. McCoy claims the state is purposely keeping people out of prison to save money. Illinois Prison spokesman Derek Schnapp does not agree, he says the state has been nationally recognized for its parole program. McCoy’s lashing out come as part of a final push to save the Pontiac prison. Governor Rod Blagojevich ordered it closed at the end of the year to save money.
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The communities of the Crescent City school district approved a referenda vote two weeks ago to deactivate the District 249 High School in favor of sending students to neighboring school districts. Now, the school board is focusing on approving contracts with three other districts where students have the option of attending. (Cissna Park, Iroquois West and Watseka). District 249 Superintendent James Mann says the adjustments for the future include community folks as well as students. Mann says the role of the school board now, is to maintain what’s currently in place K thru 8. The board will also need to manage the contractual agreement with the three receiving school districts.
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