The Illinois State Police Division of Internal Investigation is investigating an in-custody death which occurred in Wayne County. On January 4th an ISP Trooper initiated a traffic stop of a vehicle traveling with one headlight on 100 North near Illinois 242, in Wayne County. As a result of the traffic stop, 59-year-old Harry Weccele from Evansville, Indiana was taken into custody for Driving While License Suspended, Possession of Methamphetamine and a Warrant, and subsequently transported to the Wayne County jail. Upon arrival at the jail, Weccele complained of shoulder pain. The Wayne County Jail requested an ambulance and Weccele was transported to an area hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
On Jan 6th Wayne County responded to an accident on Rt. 15. 72-year-old Fairfield Resident Michael Bozartiti was traveling south on IL Rt. 15 when he struck a deer in the roadway. The vehicle sustained over $1500 in damage. There were no injuries reported at the scene.
On 1/6 Wayne County responded to the scene of an accident on County Highway 1. 66 year old David Richardson of Cisne, was traveling south on CH1 at CR 1500N when he left the roadway and overturned. The vehicle sustained over $1500 in damages and was towed from the scene. Richardson was transported to Fairfield Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Wayne County Sheriffs arrested Richardson on charges of DUI and Aggravated Battery of a Nurse While Performing Duties.
On 1/6 at approximately 9:49 p.m. Wayne County Sheriffs arrested 21-year-old Fairfield resident Cierra S. Sinclair on a charge of Domestic Battery. She is due to appear in Wayne County Court no later than January 11.
The Illinois State Senate passed House Bill 5471 banning the sale, manufacture, and possession of some of the most common semi-automatic rifles and shotguns. While the legislation exempts gun owners who already own the firearms, it also includes a provision requiring them to register those firearms with the Illinois State Police.
The measure now heads to the House for consideration. The vote was 34 – 20.
Governor Pritzker is waiting for the Illinois Senate to pass what he believes is the right assault weapons ban. State Senators were expected to vote on the measure, but they adjourned last night without one taking action. The governor released a statement saying the state of Illinois needs a bill “that meets the urgency of now” and the current version in the Senate “falls short.” The Illinois House last week passed a measure that would make it illegal to sell or purchase any assault weapon in the state. The bill is in response to the deadly July 4th shooting in Highland Park.
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is retiring following more than 20 years in office. White is stepping down as the head of the state agency responsible for driver’s licenses and motor vehicle registrations. White is Illinois’ longest-serving Secretary of State, a position he has held since 1999.
Illinois is coming off a record setting year for adult use cannabis sales. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation announced that 2022 set records in all categories it tracks. That includes number of items sold, sales totals to Illinois and out-of- state residents, and sales total by month. For the year, Illinois adult use cannabis dispensaries sold more than one-point-five-billion-dollars worth of product, an increase of more than 12-percent from 2021.
Illinois House Republican Jim Durkin is stepping down. In a letter to the Clerk of the House, Durkin said he is resigning tomorrow night after 22 years in the Illinois General Assembly. He said its “time to give this great responsibility to the next generation of public servants.” The Western Springs Republican announced in November that he would relinquish his role as House minority leader.
Illinois is honoring late Maroa Fire Chief Larry Peasley. Peasley died last Wednesday. Governor Pritzker ordered all flags to be flown at half-staff today through sunset tomorrow in his remembrance. The Chief had been with the department for over 40 years.
Authorities are investigating multiple shootings over the weekend in Peoria. Police say a male was found shot Saturday night in the 800 block of North East Madison. The victim told police that two males wearing masks tried to rob him before he was shot in the leg. Less than three hours later, officers responded to the 19-hundred block of North Wisconsin There they were informed by witnesses that a juvenile’s birthday party was going on when a vehicle drove by and someone inside fired shots into the crowd. Officers then learned that a boy had been shot and was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No arrests have been made in either case.