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International Business Times
28-05-2025
- International Business Times
Ex-Chicago Police Officer Admits to Fatally Shooting Husband Following Argument Over Her Affair
An ex-Chicago police officer has pleaded guilty to shooting her husband, a fellow cop, over three years ago, but will only spend about a week in prison. As reported by WBEZ, as part of her plea deal agreed on Tuesday, Jacqueline Villasenor agreed to a sentence of more than six years. However, with Illinois' day-for-day sentencing law and credit for the years she spent on electronic monitoring awaiting trial, Jacqueline Villasenor is expected to serve only about seven days in the Illinois Department of Corrections, plus a year of supervised release, according to her attorney. Villasenor and Her Husband were Arguing Over a Previous Affair She Had and a Struggle Ensued, Leading to Him Getting Shot On Nov. 2, 2021, Jacqueline Villasenor and her husband, fellow Chicago police officer German Villasenor, were inside their Northwest Side home, arguing over a previous affair she'd had, when she pulled out her gun and threatened to kill herself, according to prosecutors. While struggling over the weapon, it fired, striking German Villasenor in his chest. Their then-16-year-old son heard the gunshot and went to his parents' bedroom, where he found his father lying on his back and his mother performing CPR, prosecutors said. Jacqueline was Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter Jacqueline Villasenor was charged with involuntary manslaughter. She resigned from the Chicago Police Department in December 2022. "She admitted that what she did was, in fact, a crime," her attorney Tim Grace said Tuesday. "It's a very triable case, but she didn't want to do that. She wanted to accept responsibility. She didn't want to put her family through it." In statements submitted to the court earlier this year, the couple's son and daughter asked the judge not to sentence their mother to time in prison for what they saw as an unfortunate accident. "I don't want to lose both my parents," the son wrote in a statement. Two of German Villasenor's siblings also wrote letters in support of Jacqueline Villasenor, asking that the children not suffer any further by having their mother taken away. "They have given the hardest gift of all. ...They've given forgiveness," Grace, her attorney, said in court Tuesday. 'There is No Punishment Worse Than the Punishment I Give Myself Every Day' Fighting through tears, Jacqueline Villasenor told Judge Arthur Wesley Willis Tuesday, "There is no punishment worse than the punishment I give myself every day." "Although the kids love and support me, I still see him in them every day, which makes it hard to know he's not here," Jacqueline Villasenor said before she was taken into custody. "We miss him every day." German Villasenor's parents, on the other hand, called for Jacqueline Villasenor to be punished, claiming this incident was no accident.
The Independent
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Chicago auction house under fire for selling off items on Lincoln's body the night he was killed
Items that President Abraham Lincoln had the night he was assassinated – including white leather gloves with splatters of blood on them – are up for auction, drawing ire from the collection's former owner. On Wednesday, a Chicago auction house will be selling some of the Lincoln Presidential Foundation's 1,540-piece collection, bought in 2007 from collector Louise Taper. Taper, who sold the items hoping they would live on in the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, was horrified to learn the items would soon be 'dispersed into the wind,' she told WBEZ Chicago. 'My intent was for these historic items to reside in a place for the public to enjoy and learn from,' she said. The foundation said it would auction off 114 items of the 1,540-piece collection to finally pay off the $23 million loan it took out to buy the artifacts in 2007. While the foundation anticipated being able to pay back the loan through private donations, it was still $9.7 million in debt several years ago when it launched a GoFundMe asking for help, the Washington Post reported. The foundation has contemplated auctioning some of its Lincoln collection over the years but avoided doing so after an uptick in fundraising in 2019, though it was not immediately clear how much was raised then. 'Proceeds from the sale will be used to satisfy our obligation to retire the outstanding loan balance from the Foundation's purchase of the collection,' the foundation said in a statement. 'Any excess funds will go toward our continued care and display of our extensive collection.' The items being sold include the first-known sample of Lincoln's handwriting from 1824, which is valued as high as $400,000. The writing, a yellowed page of mathematical equations, features then-15-year-old Lincoln's cursive handwriting at the top corner, which reads, 'Abraham Lincoln is my nam[e] / And with my pen I wrote / the same / I wrote in both hast[e] (sic) and speed / And left it here for fools / to read.' Other items set to be auctioned off include a swatch of a coat Lincoln was wearing the night he was assassinated, which was appraised for as much as $150,000, and a single cuff button with the letter 'L' that he was also wearing that night. The cuff button was appraised to be worth as much as $300,000. The most eye-catching piece being auctioned is a pair of blood-stained white leather gloves Lincoln had in his coat pocket at Ford's Theatre on the night of his assassination. The gloves were appraised at as much as $1.2 million. If each item being auctioned sells for its maximum appraised value, it could yield more than $6 million, according to WBEZ. The Foundation has not publicly stated how much it hopes to raise through the auction, or how much is left to pay off on the loan.
Politico
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Politico
A Pritzker, Axelrod, Emanuel imbroglio
Presented by Happy Wednesday, Illinois. Illinois politics never disappoints. SCOOP: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is endorsing state Sen. Robert Peters in his bid for Congress. Check out THE BUZZ below. TOP TALKER WILL HE OR WON'T HE? Gov. JB Pritzker's indecision on running for a third term as governor has put him in the spotlight this week. WBEZ's Dave McKinney talked to Democratic strategists David Axelrod and Pete Giangreco, who noted that a third term could be fraught with political danger. 'Third terms are notoriously perilous, and things that can go wrong tend to go wrong in third terms,' Axelrod told McKinney. 'If your attention is divided between running for president, which is a hellacious job in itself, and … dealing with crises at home, that is a very difficult balance to strike.' And Giangreco said, 'In my mind, there's no reason to run for a third term as governor to improve your chances of being president.' The WBEZ story is here. Pritzker responds: During an interview on CNN on Tuesday, the governor addressed Axelrod's comments, saying, 'I think he has in mind the idea that his friend Rahm Emanuel would like to run for governor of Illinois — though probably wouldn't run for governor if I was running for re-election.' Rahm for governor? Emanuel didn't immediately comment on the idea, and Axelrod told Playbook, 'JB's never talked to me about it so I can't imagine how he knows what I think. My strong sense is that if Rahm runs for anything, it won't be in 2026.' Pritzker did acknowledge Axelrod 'is not wrong' on the idea of third terms being perilous. 'It hasn't happened very often, but you know, if you look at Jay Inslee in Washington state, he had a fabulous third term and really accomplished quite a lot and was able to finish a lot of things that he started in his first two terms. So, it can happen either way.' For now, Pritzker said, he's focused on being governor and 'lifting up the people of the state of Illinois, advancing the cause of the economy for our state, and making sure that I'm bringing what I have been for the last six and a half years — which is fiscal stability to a state that really wasn't stable for many years before.' Another CNN takeaway: Pritzker was asked whether being a billionaire is 'the right profile for Democrats to have.' The governor's response: 'It doesn't matter what your net worth is. What matters is, what are you actually doing for people to lift them up and to advance the cause of your state?' THE BUZZ SCOOP: Progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont Independent, is set to announce this morning that he's endorsing state Sen. Robert Peters for Congress in Illinois' 2nd District. The news comes a day after Peters officially announced he's seeking the seat now held by Congresswoman Robin Kelly, who's running for Senate. They're allies: The Illinois lawmaker was political director for Reclaim Chicago and the People's Lobby, which endorsed and mobilized for Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign. In a statement, Sanders called Peters 'a principled leader and organizer with a record of winning big progressive policy fights. I know he'll be ready to do battle alongside me as we take on big money in politics and save our democracy from the billionaires trying to tear it down.' SCOOP: Yasmeen Bankole, a trustee from Hanover Park, is running for the 8th District congressional seat now held by Raja Krishnamoorthi, who's running for Senate in 2026. Bankole has most recently worked as regional director for retiring Sen. Dick Durbin and earlier worked in Krishnamoorthi's office. As a trustee, Bankole is board liaison on the town's Environmental Committee and serves on the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference Legislative Committee. She's also a member of the DuPage County NAACP, chairing the organization's Economic Development Committee. Here's her launch video. WHERE'S JB No official public events WHERE's BRANDON No official public events Where's Toni No official public events Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a complaint? Email skapos@ THE STATEWIDES — BUDGET BLUES | Pritzker budget team slashes state's revenue forecast by $536M: 'The Governor's Office of Management and Budget said it now expects $54.9 billion in revenue for the fiscal year beginning July 1. Its previous forecast called for $55.5 billion. Among the culprits: $351 million less in corporate income taxes .. and $289 million less in individual income taxes,' by Crain's John Pletz. — Lawmakers's struggle to reform Illinois' food system: 'State government resistance and Trump's rollback of food infrastructure funding have undermined Illinois lawmakers' efforts to keep food dollars local and support small producers,' by Jennifer Bamberg, Investigate Midwest. — Illinois farmers still wary over China tariffs, by CBS 2's Chris Tye VIDEO — Electric bus company Damera to open first U.S. factory in Illinois, by MyStateline's John Clark — It can be difficult to find therapists who take health insurance in Illinois. Lawmakers are considering a bill to change that, by the Tribune's Lisa Schencker SPOTTED — BIPARTISAN TUNES: Senate President Don Harmon, a Democrat, and Republican state Rep. Ryan Spain may not see eye to eye on legislative issues. But on the stage, the two were in sync as they performed at the Dave Caucus event at Boone's in Springfield on Tuesday. CHICAGO — As Johnson administration touts 'Cut the Tape,' affordable housing developers want faster progress, by the Tribune's Lizzie Kane — Wrigleyville alderman wants more transparency from vacation rentals like Airbnb: 'Ald. Bennett Lawson is behind a push to get his City Council colleagues the addresses and management contact information for the rentals that make up a significant portion of the apartments in some neighborhoods,' by the Tribune's Jake Sheridan. — City commission approves $67 million in TIF funds for massive Central Loop renovation, by the Tribune's Brian J. Rogal IN MEMORIAM 'LOTS TEARS AND LAUGHTER': A who's who crowd gathered Tuesday to honor Lori Healey, the government and civic leader who died earlier this month. Mayor Brandon Johnson and former Mayors Richard M. Daley and Lori Lightfoot presented flags to her partner, Walt Eckenhoff at the event at the Women's & Children's Park in the South Loop, around the corner from Healey's home. Speakers included: Obama Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett, Navy Pier CEO Marilynn Gardner and business leaders Penny Pritzker, Richard Price and Patrick Daley. MORE DETAILS: Lori Healey, former Chicago Mayor Daley chief of staff, remembered at celebration of life, by ABC 7's Sarah Schulte Reader Digest We asked what government job you think would be secretly kind of fun: Kristopher Anderson: 'Chair of the Federal Reserve Board and CIA director.' Randy Bukas: 'U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.' Kent Gray: 'White House photographer.' Charles Keller: 'DOGE. Watching all the grifting politicians either retire or yell on X all day about losing their honeypot is glorious. I'd love every minute of it.' Ed Mazur: 'Commissioner of Cultural Affairs: get to meet folks from all over and have a canape or two.' Scott Simon: 'I have been openly campaigning for my wife, who is a dual citizen of France and the U.S., to be named US ambassador to France. I would go along as a spouse, and as she conducts high-level diplomacy during the day, I'd roam from cafes to museums and visit schools to be a living symbol to France of goofy Americans.' Timothy Thomas: 'State or city director of Tourism/Economic Development: travel, promote and entertain to enhance the visibility of your state or city.' Corrine Ann Williams: 'X/social media person for the TSA. It's hysterical what people try to do, and the current manager clearly has a lot of wit.' NEXT QUESTION: If animals could talk, which one would have the best sense of humor? KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION — Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-16) saw his Community Reclamation Partnerships Act pass the House. The legislation calls for continued investment in cleaning up abandoned coal mines across the country. — Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) has introduced the Health Savings and Affordability for Fertility Act, which would expand eligible fertility treatment and care allowable under Health Savings Accounts. The goal is to make fertility treatments more affordable. THE NATIONAL TAKE — Trump administration cancels layoffs for some health workers ahead of Kennedy hearing, by POLITICO's Alice Miranda Ollstein and Sophie Gardner — American business titans greet Trump in Saudi Arabia, by POLITICO's Irie Sentner — AOC's 3 a.m. comment over miscarriages sparks fiery exchange with GOP male counterparts, by POLITICO's Ben Leonard — Trump-themed shop in Chicago's suburbs could be closed over code issues, but owner says it's political, by the Tribune's Angie Leventis Lourgos EVENTS — May 21: The DuSable Black History Museum is showing the film about the 2018 killing of Harith 'Snoop' Augustus by Chicago police officer Dillan Halley. Details here — June 12: The Worker Rights Forum II will be hosted by the Catholic Lawyers Guild. Keynote speaker is Don Villar, who will address the connection between the new Pope Leo XIV and his predecessor Leo XIII, author of the 1891 encyclical which advances Church teaching in support of workers and collective bargaining. Details here TRIVIA TUESDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Patricia Ann Watson for correctly answering that Batavia Ald. Dustin Pieper is a member of the American Solidarity Party. TODAY's QUESTION: What major suburban thoroughfare was part of an ancient trail and used by General Winfield Scott? Email skapos@ HAPPY BIRTHDAY Illinois Health and Hospital Association CEO A.J. Wilhelmi, Chicago Better Business Bureau CEO Steve Bernas, Greater Southwest Development Corporation Executive Director Adrian Soto, philanthropist Susan Crown, movie mogul George Lucas, Legal Aid Chicago Staff Attorney Nellie Mitchell, La Casa Norte Associate Director of Comms Andrea Magaña, lobbyist Elizabeth Grisanzio and Hebrew School Principal David Schwartz -30-
Chicago Tribune
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Clarence Page: Let's take advantage of the crime downturn to learn what's gone right
Will Donald Trump have Chicago to kick around anymore? That question, an update of Richard Nixon's memorable farewell to news reporters as he dropped out of the California governor's race in 1962, came to mind on the heels of some unusually welcome news about violent crime in Chicago. The city finished April with 20 reported homicides, the lowest count of any April since 1962, according to a WBEZ analysis. Also, the public radio station found that the city's '116 murders through this year's first four months mark the lowest January-through-April tally since 2014.' Even as the city braces for its usual summertime surge in violent crimes, Chicago still appears to be on pace to hit Mayor Brandon Johnson's 2025 goal of having fewer than 500 homicides for the first time in a decade. Meanwhile, is Washington tuned in to the good news — and how we can have more of it? Trump's historic blizzard of executive orders in the first 100 days of his second term in office poked his presidential nose back into Chicago's affairs at the very moment when good news is happening without him. Three of his executive orders in particular seemed to be aimed at Chicago. One seeks to end all federal consent decrees governing police reform efforts. That would include Chicago's agreement, which dates back to the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald, 17, by then-Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke in October 2014. McDonald died after Van Dyke pumped 16 9 mm bullets into him. In 400 pages of reports, police had claimed that McDonald was acting 'crazed' while walking down the street and had lunged at officers after refusing to drop a knife, leading department supervisors to rule the homicide justifiable. Video of the incident released later showed that McDonald was walking away. Van Dyke was convicted of second-degree murder, and Chicago and the U.S. Department of Justice signed a consent decree to address the underlying civil rights issues of the case. A second executive order by Trump calls on state and federal officials, as WBEZ reported, to 'publish lists of jurisdictions often called sanctuary cities that limit cooperation with federal officials' attempts to arrest immigrants who are in the country illegally.' That sounds like Chicago's Welcoming City Ordinance. First declared by Mayor Harold Washington in 1985 via executive order, it aims to ensure undocumented residents are not prosecuted 'on the basis of immigration status.' Yet another order signed by Trump would increase access to excess military equipment by state and local officials. It would also increase legal support for officers accused of wrongdoing while on official duty. Although I believe in supporting law enforcement, the use of military equipment by local departments opens up another long-running debate about the wisdom and effectiveness of militarizing local police, as it could lead to unnecessary use of excessive force on, for example, political protesters. Finally, Trump signed an order reinforcing an existing federal law that requires English-language proficiency for commercial motor drivers. That doesn't sound too drastic, but I'm curious about how a Republican president whose party usually emphasizes local solutions for local problems is so eager to stick Washington's nose into this one. Amid these executive orders, will Trump and his MAGA movement notice the good news happening on Chicago streets and other big cities? Is it possible that Trump and MAGA have drawn so much political mileage out of the crime-ridden-hellhole narrative about Chicago to be deterred by mere facts? 'Chicago is a shooting disaster,' Trump tweeted way back in August 2013. 'They should immediately go to STOP AND FRISK. They have no choice, hundreds of lives would be saved!' Stop-and-frisk policies also are very controversial, yet popular among those who first hear about it. Which reminds me of a wise saying of H.L. Mencken that Ronald Reagan loved to quote: 'For every problem, there's a solution that's neat, plausible and wrong.' Trump's tireless tweeting often brings that to mind. To find real solutions requires more careful examination than you are likely to hear from the next bar stool. My years of covering crime and other problems in Chicago's communities have shown me how a lot of street-savvy and dedicated professionals and volunteers at the grassroots neighborhood level have been the unsung heroes that lead to safe and peaceful communities, if we give them a chance. We can learn a lot from such apparent successes as community violence intervention, or CVI, programs. They hire ex-offenders to mediate gang conflicts and steer high-risk individuals to social services and jobs. Such programs won't end all of our urban crime problems, but I've seen a promising number of examples that have produced positive results. Can the answers to our urban crime problems be found on the same streets that produced them? It's worth a try. Either way, it's better than turning our neighborhoods, whose residents want to live in peace and safety, into an escalating combat zone.
Axios
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Axios
George Ryan, former Illinois governor with a complicated legacy, dies at 91
George Ryan, the former Illinois governor who went to prison for corruption but helped end the state's death penalty, died Friday. He was 91. Why it matters: Ryan's legacy is a paradox — a prison sentence for bribery and a sweeping act of mercy that reshaped Illinois justice. Flashback: Ryan, a Kankakee-based Republican, began his career in the state legislature, rising to Speaker of the House in 1981, before serving as lieutenant governor under Gov. Jim Thompson in 1983. He was elected secretary of state in 1991. Ryan was elected governor in 1999, but a scandal emerged from his time at the Secretary of State's Office. He served only one term as governor. Zoom in: Ryan's office handed out commercial driver's licenses in exchange for bribes — and one of those drivers caused a 1994 crash that killed Scott and Janet Willis and their six children. Ryan was sentenced to 6.5 years in prison in 2006. He ended up serving five years of his sentence. He is one of four Illinois governors to go to prison for political corruption. What they said:"My conscience is clear about what I did while I was in office," Ryan told WBEZ's " Reset" in 2020. "I didn't do anything crooked."
