Bloomington IL Criminal Law Blog

Authorities believe a 31-year-old man from Warrenville, Illinois, is to blame for the death of an 18-year-old female from the same town. Court documents show he has been charged with two counts of aggravated DUI after his reported responsibility for the crash that killed his passenger. He is currently being held behind bars with a bond set at $1 million.

Around 10:30 p.m. late last month, the man and woman were traveling in a 2003 Ford Explorer. The 31-year-old was reportedly behind the wheel as the two of them traveled south on Shaffner Road in Winfield, Illinois. The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle just north of Mack Road. The vehicle left the road and authorities said it rolled over before it crashed into some trees on the north side of Mack Road. Police reported Shaffner Road was closed for approximately five hours while authorities conducted their investigation into the crash.

If the recent actions of the Illinois House of Representatives are any indication, a statute surrounding certain crimes may soon be lifted, allowing suspects to be prosecuted long after they supposedly committed a crime. The House unanimously passed a bill that would eliminate a deadline for prosecuting individuals charged with child sex offenses. The bill now sits with the state Senate in one of its committees.

Currently, the state of Illinois requires that prosecution of a child sex crime must occur within one year of the day that the supposed victim turns 18 years old. This legislation - and the proposed changes - leave a lot of room for debate. According to experts, few children and young adults will come forward about being sexually abused. This may be due to coercion or persuasion on the part of the abuser; it could also be caused by feelings of fear, rejection or misplaced guilt. But by eliminating the current statute of limitations, a 34-year--old who was abused when they were 12 years old could go after someone who was 50 years old when they reportedly victimized them. That would mean the suspect would be 72 years old now.

Two men were recently taken into custody in Texas. They were wanted in Illinois for allegedly robbing and kidnapping an elderly woman in early March. Criminal charges were filed against the pair and another individual who was already taken into custody before the recent run-in with the authorities in Texas.

Police allege that a 20-year-old man from New Lenox, Illinois, and a 23-year-old man from Richton Park, Illinois, played parts in a kidnapping and robbery that occurred in Wills County, Illinois. The third individual -- a 21-year-old man -- was taken into custody several days after the reported crime took place. According to authorities, the three men kidnapped an elderly woman from her driveway and forced her to give her banking cards and information to them. They reportedly then used what they acquired to take money from her accounts.

The dangers of drinking and driving are known well throughout the U.S. Despite this, some people still choose to do so. But just because a person has been arrested and charged with DUI does not mean that she or he is guilty of driving under the influence; it simply means that the police believe she or he was doing so and it necessitates the presentation of evidence during a trial in order to convince the court of innocence or guilt.

Three individuals were arrested in Northbrook, Illinois, and charged with driving under the influence. According to a police report provided by the Northbrook Police Department, the first arrest came on March 3.