Latest news with #JamieMosser
CBS News
08-05-2025
- CBS News
Former Illinois Boy Scout leader accused of sex abuse released on home monitoring again
Despite 129 counts in a grand jury indictment against a former suburban Chicago Boy Scout leader accused of sexual abuse, a judge on Wednesday again agreed he can remain at home on electronic monitoring. In February, Michael Farris, 84, of Montgomery, Illinois, was charged with sexually assaulting five underage boys. In court soon afterward, admitted to assaulting five other boys in addition. Kane County Judge Salvatore LoPiccolo in February granted prosecutors' motion to deny pretrial release for Farris. But the Kane County State's Attorney's office said on Wednesday, a court released Farris on electronic home monitoring. Published reports indicated that Farris was released on home monitoring in March, then ordered detained again last week, only to be released again on Wednesday. "My office strongly opposes the court's decision today to once again release defendant Michael Farris under Electronic Home Monitoring (EHM). It remains our position that even the strictest release conditions cannot mitigate the threat Farris poses to our resident," Kane County State's Attorney Jamie Mosser said in a statement. "EHM does not allow authorities to monitor whom the defendant is with or what they are doing, which is especially concerning given the allegations here, including that the defendant assaulted a victim who came to his door to offer snow shoveling services. Since he remains a danger to the community, my office will be appealing today's decision." Prosecutors said Farris was arrested at his home in February for allegations involving five victims between the ages of 13 and 17. Prosecutors said when questioned, Farris admitted to assaulting and abusing four out of those five victims — and then gave them the names of five more kids, one of whom may have been as young as 8 years old. Farris knew the victims from the neighborhood, family, and friends, and because he was a fixture in his community — involved in the Boy Scouts of America, a train club, and church groups, prosecutors said. The Boy Scouts — now known officially as Scouting America — said in February that Farris has been banned from scouting. Scouting America said none of the alleged victims are believed to have been involved in scouting with Farris.
Chicago Tribune
01-05-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Man who fell asleep in stranger's house in Elgin shot by homeowner
An Elgin resident who confronted and shot a man he found sleeping in his home Sunday will not be charged in the incident, Kane County State's Attorney Jamie Mosser said. Neither will the victim, who apparently had been attending and then left some sort of gathering in the 100 block of Commonwealth Avenue only to return to the wrong house, where he let himself in and fell asleep, Mosser said. The shooting occurred after the resident, 79, got into a verbal and physical fight with the 29-year-old man, resulting in the resident firing his gun, according to an Elgin Police Department news release posted on Facebook. The man was taken to an area hospital but the extent of his injury has not been disclosed. 'When looking at charging an individual, we need to also review whether there are any defenses present,' Mosser said. 'In this case, based on all of the facts presented, the homeowner had a reasonable belief that he needed to defend himself.' While 'the facts showed that (the 29-year-old man) went into the home mistakenly while intoxicated and fell asleep,' the resident chose not to file charges, she said. The incident was a confusing one because police initially posted a Facebook message Sunday morning to alert residents to a large police presence in the 100 block of South DuBois Avenue. That was later updated to the 100 block of South Commonwealth Avenue about two blocks away, near Abbott Park. However, the shooting occurred sometime before 9 a.m. in the 800 block of Carr Street, which is more than three blocks away. While initially saying Sunday that the incidents were related, the connection was not made clear until details of the shooting were disclosed nearly three days later. The police department's SWAT team had been called in, but no information on why they were needed or why police were called about the gathering have been released. When more details were requested by The Courier-News, the newspaper was told to file a Freedom of Information Act request for the police report, which it has done. Mosser said the case is considered closed on her end because no charges will be filed.
Chicago Tribune
07-04-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Event in Geneva designed to raise awareness of child abuse
CASA Kane County invites the community to join the annual Hands Around the Courthouse event set for noon on Thursday, April 10, at the Kane County Courthouse in Geneva. The event serves as a reminder of the need to protect abused and neglected children and raise awareness of the effects of child abuse, according to a press release from CASA Kane County. CASA Kane County is a nonprofit organization committed to serving the interests of children in foster care through the advocacy of Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers, group officials said. Held in observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Hands Around the Courthouse event brings together community members, legal professionals and child advocates to spotlight the challenges faced by children in the foster care system, the release stated. Each year, CASA Kane County's volunteers advocate for nearly 700 children, working to ensure their voices are heard and their futures safeguarded, officials with the group said. By gathering for the event, participants reinforce their commitment to breaking the cycle of abuse and neglect, according to the release. This year's event will feature Kane County Chief Judge Robert Villa, Kane County State's Attorney Jamie Mosser and CASA Kane County Executive Director Jim Di Ciaula, event organizers said. They will provide insights into the state of child welfare in the county and discuss how the community can help. 'We could not do this critical work without our dedicated volunteers, our loyal supporters and our community partners and friends,' Di Ciaula said of the efforts of CASA Kane County. 'We need all of you – and more – to join us in our important journey to protect children by providing a caring, trusted adult who is a constant in their lives and gives them encouragement, support and most importantly hope. 'We ask anyone interested in supporting children, to take the time to learn more about getting involved with CASA Kane County and joining us at this meaningful community event,' he said in the release. For more information about Hands Around the Courthouse and to learn how to get involved with CASA Kane County, go to or call 630-232-4484.
Chicago Tribune
31-03-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Tuesday is Election Day across the Fox Valley
Fox Valley residents will head to the polls Tuesday to vote in the general election featuring a wide variety of races across the Aurora area. Residents in the area will cast ballots in contests for mayor and village president, in city council and village board races, as well as in school board, library board and park board races, as well as other contests. A few referendum questions are also on the ballot Tuesday in the Fox Valley. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Kane County State's Attorney Jamie Mosser has announced that her office will facilitate an election complaint line for Kane County residents voting in the April 1 election. Available from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, the hotline will allow individuals to report suspected illegal activity in the county by calling 630-208-5328, according to a press release from Mosser's office. The complaint line will be staffed by Kane County assistant state's attorneys who are prepared to ensure compliance with state election laws, officials said. Suspected illegal Election Day activity may include electioneering, illegal campaign signs or denial of voting rights, according to the release. The complaint line is not for election information such as polling places and times, which can be obtained by calling the Kane County Clerk's Election Helpline at 630-232-5990, officials said. For more information on voting in Kane County, go to In Kendall County, officials said that complaints about potential violations of Illinois election laws, including denial of voting rights, should be made to the Kendall County State's Attorney's Office at 630-553-4157 or to the Illinois Attorney General at 312-814-3000. The Kendall County State's Attorney's Office's number will be staffed from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day only. Additionally, the Kendall County Courthouse in Yorkville will be open on Election Day for election issues only from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Both the courthouse and the Kendall County State's Attorney's Office will be open for all other court business during their normal business hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Election Day. Voters with election questions, such as voting times, voter registration issues or polling place locations should consult the Kendall County Clerk and Recorder's website at or call the main office number at 630-553-4105, officials said. For information on voting in DuPage County, go to
Chicago Tribune
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Elgin News Digest: Complaint line available for Election Day voting problems; free spring break gym program at Izaak Walton center
Complaint line available for Election Day voting problems An election complaint line will be available from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, April 1, for Kane County residents. Anyone who suspects illegal activity should call 630-208-5328, according to a news release from the Kane County State's Attorney's Office. The line will be staffed by assistant state's attorneys who are prepared to ensure compliance with state election laws, the release said. Suspected illegal election day activity may include electioneering, illegal campaign signs or denial of voting rights. It is not available for general election information such as polling place locations and times, which can be obtained by calling the Kane County Clerk's Election Helpline at 630-232-5990. Early voters with concerns about illegal election activity before April 1 should use the helpline number. 'Free and fair elections are essential to our democracy, and every voter in Kane County has the right to cast their ballot with confidence in the integrity of our electoral system,' State's Attorney Jamie Mosser said in the release. 'It is the responsibility and privilege of my office and our law enforcement partners to ensure that citizens can exercise their right to vote free of unlawful intimidation or impediment. Free spring break gym program at Izaak Walton center Hanover Township will be holding a free open gym program for ages 5 to 14 from noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, March 31-April 4, at the Izaak Walton Youth Center, 899 Jay St., Elgin. The program coincides with the School District U-46 spring break and will feature a variety of recreational, educational and social activities, including sports and arts and crafts, according to a news release. Hanover Township is also seeking adult volunteers to help run the open gym. To register or to inquire about volunteering, call 630-483-5799. Boy Band Project on stage Friday at ECC's Blizzard Theater The Boy Band Project will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 28, at the Blizzard Theater on the Elgin Community College campus, 1700 Spartan Drive. The act reimagines the sound and dancing of NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, Hanson, One Direction, 98 Degrees, O-town, BoyzIIMen, Jonas Brothers and other boy bands from decades' past, according to the group's website. Its performers have appeared in such Broadway musicals as 'Wicked,' 'Hairspray,' 'Mamma Mia,' 'The Book of Mormon' and 'Rock of Ages.' Tickets are $42 and can be purchased at the theater's box office and online at Dundee-Crown baseball team holding equipment fundraiser Dundee-Crown High School baseball program is seeking donations to help buy pitching screens, weighted training balls, field wind screens and gear, according to a message posted by coach Andrew Zimmer on social media. Money raised online also will be used for team travel expenses, Zimmer said. The effort runs through Wednesday, April 9. To donate, go to .
