The Southern Illinois University system has reversed course and announced Wednesday that it would be returning to in-person learning next week.

Last Thursday, SIU-Edwardsville sent a mass email to all students announcing they would be taking their on-ground Spring 2022 courses to a remote format amidst surging waves of COVID-19. This past Wednesday the university reversed course in another email to students stating they were returning to in-person learning on Tuesday, January 18^th at the Springfield SIU School of Medicine, Edwardsville, and Carbondale.

Riverbender reports that students who are under certain circumstance who can’t or don’t feel comfortable returning to campus during the latest surge of COVID-19 should contact SIU’s ACCESS office for special accommodations, while faculty and staff can reach out to the school’s Human Resources Office. The report further says that SIU is looking to expand its testing protocols and is attempting to procure additional PPE to distribute on campus.

The SIUE Faculty Association, Non-tenure-track Faculty Association and the Professional Staff Association announced in a press release on Friday their disapproval over the decision and expressed frustration over the quickly changing orders from administration. According to the release, the most recent guidance comes just five business days after faculty and staff were ordered to shift classes to an online format for the first week of the semester.

Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a bill creating judicial subcircuits on January 7th for the 7th Judicial Circuit among many others. The bill creates a subcircuit for each of the counties (Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, Morgan, and Scott), a subcircuit for the City of Springfield, and an additional subcircuit for Sangamon County.

95th District Republican Representative Tim Butler of Springfield pointed out during the floor discussion of the bill that the Illinois Senate sponsor of the bill, Senate President Don Harmon, is the chair of the Cook County slating committee for circuit courts and that Harmon was likely receiving input from former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, who also sits on the Cook County slating committee.

Harmon and Illinois Democrats say that the subcircuits will provide an attempt to create diversity on the bench. According to 2020 Census data, Scott County was 96.2% white, Greene County was 95.8% white, Jersey County 93.9%, Macoupin 93.6%, and Morgan County was 87.4% white. According to an article last week in the State Journal Register, the 7th Circuit has never had a person of color elected to the bench. Despite the lack of a person of color on the bench, the 7th Judicial Circuit did see a major increase in all minority populations in the 2020 Census. Butler says that despite the lack of diversity in the population there is nothing prohibiting a person of color for running to be or winning a circuit judge spot. In fact, he says he’s in favor of it happening, but no person of color has run in his recent memory.

Butler is still not convinced of the opportunity for diversity, saying Illinois Democrats are attempting to pack the courts with liberal justices to support their recent agenda: “What Democrats are trying to do is…reshuffle existing subcircuits across the state where they exist and create new subcircuits in areas they didn’t exist including places like Morgan and Sangamon counties to really try to elect more Democratic judges.”

Morgan County Judge Chris Reif told the Journal Courier last week that the bill came as a surprise to him, and that there was very little input asked from local sitting circuit judges and attorneys on how it will affect local court systems.

State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer told the Journal Courier that he foresees state Democrats passing a trailer bill to clear up remaining confusion on the number of judges in certain areas and how the number of judges will be determined. He called the bill “rushed” and partisan.

The changes go into effect in 2024. Three judges would be elected from the first subcircuit, which includes most of Springfield. Three would be from the second subcircuit covering the rest of Sangamon County. One judge would be elected at-large and one would be elected from each of the five other counties in the entire 7th circuit.

The Pontiac Daily Leader reports that the bill also redraws judicial subcircuits in Cook County for the first time since 1991 as well as subcircuits in Kane, McHenry, and Will counties for the first time since they were originally enacted in 2005. It would also increase the number of subcircuits in Cook County to 20 from 15 so that as judges who are currently elected countywide retire, they would be replaced by judges elected from subcircuits. The same would be true for Lake County, where the proposal would double the number of subcircuits from six to 12. The 17th Circuit, which covers Winnebago and Boone counties, the bill calls for consolidating four subcircuits into two. The bill also creates subcircuits for the first time in DuPage County, the state’s second-largest county, while establishing a “resident judge” model in Champaign, Peoria and Rock Island counties, which are all part of multi-county circuits. That means judges in those counties would be elected from within the county rather than from the entire circuit. Similar changes are proposed for the 3rd Circuit, which includes Madison and Bond counties.

The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office has announced that a trio of individuals arrested in Calhoun County in December 2020 have all been sentenced for their role in a multi-county theft ring.

On December 1, 2020, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department received multiple reports of vehicle burglaries and a motor vehicle theft in the Village of Hardin. Investigation and extra patrols followed over the week.

On December 7, 2020 at 1:52AM, Calhoun County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted a traffic stop on Childs Street near Park Street in Hardin on a gold 2003 Chevy Tahoe with Missouri license plates.

Subsequent to an investigation, the driver, 32 year old Kristen M. Zinselmeier of St. Peters, Missouri was arrested for driving with a revoked license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and improper use of registration.

Two passengers were present in the vehicle and also arrested. 25 year old Jacob D. Young of St. Louis, Missouri and 26 year old Samantha L. Rachels of St. Louis, Missouri were initially cited for Obstructing Justice.

A search of the vehicle subsequently revealed stolen property, stolen keys to vehicles in the area, a firearm, and an undisclosed amount of methamphetamine. Stolen property, including a stolen police badge, from other jurisdictions were also recovered.

Zinselmeier and Rachels were further charged with Conspiracy to Commit Burglary, Possession of Methamphetamine, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, and Obstructing Justice. Young was also charged with the previously mentioned offenses along with Armed Violence.

On May 11th of last year, Zinselmeier pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Burglary and was sentenced to 30 months probation, a $1,000 county fine, plus fees and court costs. She was given credit for 9 days served in the Jersey County Jail.

On July 6th of last year, Rachels pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Burglary and was sentenced to 5 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Rachels also pleaded guilty to Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon and was sentenced to 8 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, with the sentences for both charges to run concurrently. She was also assessed a $500 county fine, plus fees and court costs. She was credited for 240 days served in the Jersey County Jail. On August 24, 2021, the Calhoun County Circuit Court, according to records, informed Rachels that she would be released from IDOC on December 6, 2024 and have a hearing for a remaining balance on her fines.

On December 14th, Young pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Commit Burglary and one count of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon. He was also given a concurrent sentence of 7 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Additionally, he was assessed a $500 county fine, plus fees and court costs. Young was credited for 203 days served in the Jersey County Jail.

Young faces two additional charges in Jersey County for Theft from a school, place of worship, or government building under $500 and Obstructing Justice. A plea is set on those charges on Tuesday, Jan. 19th.

Young faces additional charges of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon, Aggravated Fleeing of Police, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, and Possession of Methamphetamine Less Than 5 grams in Madison County. A jury trial has been set for those charges on Monday, Jan. 18th.

According to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office press release, the guilty pleas were the result of an extensive and thorough investigation by the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, which uncovered the auto theft ring operating out of St. Louis, Missouri that helped to net other arrests through the cooperation and efforts of other police agencies in neighboring counties.

The final individual involved in a rash of vehicle thefts in Greene County last year.

21 year old Quindarin L. Wright of St. Louis, Missouri pled guilty to one count of theft with intent to control between $500 and $10,000. Six counts of burglary and three other counts of theft were dropped per the plea.

According to police reports last year, Carrollton Police Officer Jesse Faul saw suspicious activity between two vehicles near the Carrollton Pool on January 22, 2021 at around 2:30AM. Faul witnessed two subjects abandoned an alleged stolen Jeep in the middle of the road and then fled in a nearby parked sedan. Faul pursued the sedan on a high speed chase into Jersey County before the pursuit was eventually terminated. Four subjects then exited the sedan and took off on foot in a rural area near Illinois Route 109 before being taken into custody by Faul and deputies of other departments. Two of the suspects were found to be armed at the time of their arrest.

Along with Wright, police also arrested 23 year old Jamie M. Dwyer of St. Charles, Missouri; 36 year old Corvis D. Johnson of Bel Ridge, Missouri; and a 16 year old male juvenile. The four-man group was also related to a similar three-person group of suspects arrested in Calhoun County in December 2020.

Dwyer and Johnson have reached similar plea deals in their cases and both are currently serving time in the Illinois Department of Corrections. The status of the juvenile involved has never been made public.

On Wednesday, Wright was sentenced to 3 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, given credit for 64 days served in the Jersey County Jail, ordered to pay an undisclosed amount of restitution along with court costs.

Wright is also facing two felony cases in Jersey County for obstruction of justice for destroying evidence, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and criminal trespass to vehicles. He is due for arraignment in those cases on Monday.

The Quincy woman charged in connection with a 2020 crash that killed four people, including three infant children, faces a new charge.

The Quincy Herald Whig reports that prosecutors filed one count of aggravated driving under the influence against 37 year old Natasha L. McBride of Quincy on Tuesday.

McBride appeared in Adams County Court on Wednesday for a scheduled hearing to extend the discovery deadline in the case. McBride is due in court today for a status hearing and a ruling on the motion.

According to the charging documents obtained by the Herald Whig, the new charge alleges that McBride was under the influence of THC at the time of the crash.

The additional charge is a Class 2 felony, and if convicted, McBride would face a sentencing range of six to 28 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

McBride already faces four counts of first degree murder in the August 14, 2020 deaths of 54 year old Jennifer Hendricks of Rushville and her three grandchildren. She also faces four counts of leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, four counts of reckless homicide, and four counts of driving while license revoked.

According to the Quincy Police’s crash report, McBride allegedly admitted to smoking marijuana prior to the fatal crash.

McBride continues to be held on $5 million bond at the Adams County Jail.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined a group of attorneys general from around the country yesterday to announce a nationwide settlement with one of the largest student lenders in the country.

Raoul says that Navient has agreed to pay out $1.85 billion over allegations that the company, previously operating as Sallie Mae, steered student borrowers towards predatory loans to pay for tuition at for-profit colleges: “Wherever the students attended, Navient’s private student loan program buried these students into debt by targeting those unlikely to be able to repay with high-interest loans. High-interest, private loans like these are an ongoing problem. As part of our investigation and litigation, we uncovered and alleged that Navient operating as Sallie Mae, made private predatory loans to students attending for-profit colleges, students whom Navient knew would not be able to repay [the loans].”

The payouts and debt relief will resolve years-old lawsuits filed by attorneys general from nearly 40 states. Illinois was one of the first states to sue the student lender in 2017 while still under the direction of Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

Illinois’ share is over $145 million, with more than 18,000 borrowers set to receive payouts of about $260 each. A postcard notification will be sent to those eligible this Spring. Another 5,000-plus borrowers in the state will have their debt cancelled.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Navient did not admit to any wrongdoing as part of the settlement. The settlement will still have to be approved by a federal judge in Pennsylvania. Borrowers can learn more about the Navient settlement at https://navientagsettlement.com/.

A judge in Adams County has been removed from handling criminal cases in the 8^th Judicial Circuit after two controversial weeks on the bench.

The Quincy Herald Whig reports that Adams County Judge Robert Adrian has been reassigned to hear small claims, probate, civil cases and other legal matters after an emergency administrative order was filed by Chief Judge of the 8^th Circuit J. Frank McCartney yesterday.

The move comes several days after Adrian’s reversal of his own conviction from a three-day bench trial in October of 18 year old Drew S. Clinton for criminal sexual assault of a 16 year old victim. Clinton faced a minimum of 4 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Clinton had already served 148 days in the Adams County Jail, which Adrian said was a just sentence before reversing his conviction, according to court transcripts. After the ruling was announced, Adrian went on to admonish adults who held the party were the assault occurred, saying they had taken their responsibilities lightly by allowing minors to drink alcohol and swim in a pool in their underwear: “The court is totally disgusted with that whole thing.”

The victim told Quincy Police that she attended a graduation party where she drank alcohol and swam in a pool before she taken to a neighboring house where she fell asleep. She told police that when she woke up, she had a pillow pushed on top of her head and she was being sexually assaulted by Clinton. The victim said she yelled at Clinton to stop before eventually pushing him off the top of her. The Herald Whig says a police report indicated where the victim went to a nearby bedroom after the incident and told a friend what happened before being given a ride back to her home where she slept outside in a camper overnight before telling her father about the incident the next morning. The victim’s father immediately called police.

The vacated ruling and subsequent comments in court by Adrian has drawn criticism and headlines internationally.

McCartney made the order after he was made aware that Adrian had kicked lead prosecuting attorney for the Adams County State’s Attorney’s office, Josh Jones, out of his courtroom on Wednesday. Adrian told Jones in the courtroom that he couldn’t deal fairly with him after learning about Jones posting support for critics of Adrian’s on social media following the Clinton ruling.

McCartney’s order assigned Judge Scott Larson to handle criminal felony cases and emergency protection orders, and assigned Judge Tad Brenner to cover Judge Holly Henze’s conflict family docket until further order. Adrian has also been removed from hearing any jury trials in the future.

McCartney also ordered new judges for a handful of specific cases that Adrian had been handling.

Judge Amy Lannerd was ordered to preside over the high profile murder case against Natasha McBride of Quincy. McBride is accused of 4 counts of first degree murder and a slew of other charges in the death of a Rushville grandmother and her three grandchildren.

Lannerd will also preside over the carjacking, home invasion and sexual assault case against Karen Blackledge of Quincy. Blackledge is being charged separately in a case that also involves Bradley Yohn of Springfield from an alleged burglary incident that occurred on North Bottom Road in November.

Jacksonville Police are investigating a stolen vehicle that was found flipped over in a residence’s yard yesterday evening.

Jacksonville Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on East Lafayette Avenue at around 5:45PM yesterday. Police reports about the incident were not released this morning.

An eye witness report says that a motorcycle and a stolen black Chrysler passenger car were traveling in the area of East Lafayette Avenue at a high rate of speed. The eye witness believes that the car may have been in pursuit of the motorcycle prior to the car crashing and then flipping over on its top in the front yard of a residence and colliding with a parked car.

The alleged driver of the stolen vehicle fled the scene on foot. Further details about the event are unknown and await further confirmation by police. This story will develop as more details are released.

If you have any information about the incident, please call the Jacksonville Police Department at 217-479-4630.

Jacksonville Police are investigating an armed robbery that occurred inside a vehicle in the Rolling Acres Subdivision from last night.

According to a press release from the Jacksonville Police Department, at approximately 10:19PM, officers responded to a report of an armed robbery that had just occurred at 1042 East Morton Avenue inside the Rolling Acres Sudivision.

Through initial investigations, police say that officers on scene determined 3 suspects were involved in the robbery in which a handgun was brandished in front of the victim. The victim reported being robbed of U.S. Currency and other undisclosed items while inside of a vehicle located in the subdivision.

According to police, the 3 alleged suspects are believed to be known to the victim and remain at large this morning. Officers say that they believe the incident is an isolated event and the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with any further information is urged to contact the Jacksonville Police Department’s Investigative Division at (217) 479-4630.

Savion Energy, a company hoping to put a large solar farm near Beardstown, said today they are in the final stages of contracting for the commercial marketing phase of development for the project.

The 150 Megawatt solar farm has some final hurdles before moving forward. The company says that commercial contracting, final coordination with the Beardstown Drainage District, and final coordination and approval from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources must happen.

Savion representatives say that assuming those milestones can be met, the project’s start of construction could be late 2022 or 2023 but is still subject to change.

The project is expected to cover 1,500 acres of land near Edgewood Drive and have an operational life of approximately 30 years. Savion says no further updates on the project are available at this time.