Why are police adding pink to their uniforms, equipment, vehicles?
Police in the suburbs are adding some pink flair to their uniforms, equipment and even patrol vehicles in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Elgin police are among those leading the way, with a pair of squads colored pink for October. Officers also are wearing pink badges, and pink T-shirts are being sold, with proceeds benefiting breast cancer organizations. No city money was used for any of the endeavors, police are quick to note.
If you'd like a pink squad car to stop by a community event, reach out to Cmdr. Jim Bisceglie at bisceglie_j@cityofelgin.org
Vernon Hills is among the other suburban departments taking part, with officers sporting pink T-shirts under their uniforms and carrying pink handcuffs.
"Officers wearing pink is a great way to raise awareness and spread the word that early detection is key to battling this disease," Chief Patrick Kreis said.
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Gliniewicz update
The case of Melodie Gliniewicz - widow of disgraced Fox Lake police Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz and accused of aiding his scheme to steal thousands from a youth organization - took a detour this week to the Illinois Second District Appellate Court in Elgin, where justices were asked to decide whether texts and emails between the couple could be used against her at trial.
Gliniewicz, 54, of Antioch Township, faces charges of unlawful use of charitable funds, conspiracy and money laundering. Her husband killed himself in September 2015, when it appeared his thefts were going to be revealed, and attempted to make it appear that he was killed in the line of duty.
A Lake County judge previously ruled the communications inadmissible, saying they were protected by the state's marital privilege laws.
But appellate prosecutor Richard London argued before the appellate court this week that Melodie Gliniewicz waived that privilege when she gave authorities her cellphone during the investigation of her husband's death. Gliniewicz attorney Donald Morrison said she couldn't have waived the privilege because she didn't know exactly what investigators would find on the phone.
"Whether she consented or not, she didn't know what the (phone's) content was," Morrison argued. "She doesn't know what she waived."
Gliniewicz's trial has been put on hold while the marital privilege issue is up on appeal. Justices did not indicate when they would rule.
<h3 class="leadin">Help in the fight
Efforts by law enforcement and other agencies in the Chicago area to combat the opioid crisis received a big boost this week thanks to more than $2.25 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Justice.
To mark the first day of National Substance Abuse Prevention Month on Monday, the DOJ awarded almost $320 million to agencies across the country. The DOJ labeled it "unprecedented funding (that) will directly help those most impacted by the deadliest drug crisis in American history."
Among the biggest beneficiaries is Lake County, which will receive $500,000 to assist law enforcement and other first responders to develop partnerships with treatment providers, who will respond to overdoses with them.
The DuPage County Health Department is getting $471,944 to increase access to mental health and other treatment services for people with mental illness or co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse issues.
The Cook County Health and Hospitals System is set to receive $900,000 to provide treatment to jail inmates both while they're in custody and upon their release, and to support special courts for those dealing with opioid abuse. And the Cook County medical examiner's office will get $381,018 to create public safety, behavioral health and public health information-sharing partnerships.
<h3 class="leadin">Don't 'fall' for these scams
Fall is in the air, and so are fall scams, according to the Better Business Bureau.
Some of the more common ones to look out for involve gutter cleaning, chimney and roof repairs, energy audits and ductwork cleaning. The perps behind these scams typically show up at your door uninvited, point out a problem that needs repair and offer to fix it at extremely low prices. They'll also want payment by cash or check upfront. Once they get it, they'll disappear without performing the work.
"Don't let the lure of a 'good deal' end with you not getting what you've paid for," said Steve Bernas, president and CEO of Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois.
To avoid becoming a victim, the BBB recommends you get at least three contractors to bid on your job, don't make any immediate decisions, get info about the company's insurance, get everything in writing and check references.
<h3 class="leadin">Free, for now
A federal court judge Thursday ruled that Ruby Mohsin - convicted in 2017 of selling synthetic marijuana - must be released from prison while she awaits a new sentencing hearing.
Mohsin had been sentenced in January to 21 to 27 months in prison for conspiracy to sell a misbranded controlled substance - synthetic marijuana masquerading as a kind of potpourri or incense - from her Aurora cigar store in 2011. But two weeks ago, a federal appeals court overturned the sentence, saying the judge erred in finding she knew, or should have known, the product posed a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury. Mohsin has been in the federal prison in Pekin since July 1. Her next court date is Nov. 1.
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