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Wednesday, June 8, 2022

INVESTIGATION DEMANDED Three Illinois Congressional representatives are calling for an immediate investigation into the deaths of seven Thomson federal prison inmates since March 2020, along with any accusations of “serious abuses” by its staff. / Page 8 Vol. 82 • No. 3 One Section • 8 Pages

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Prairie Advocate / ShawLocal.com • Wednesday, Jun 8, 2022

PRAIRIE ADVOCATE

Illinois attorney general files hate crime lawsuit against white mother, son accused of intimidating Black neighbor Carroll County case first to be filed under 2018 state hate crimes amendment, Kwame Raoul says By KATHLEEN A. SCHULTZ kschultz@shawmedia.com SAVANNA – The Illinois Attorney General’s office has filed a hate crime lawsuit against a Savanna mother and her adult son, accusing them of hanging an effigy of their Black neighbor from a tree near his property, as well as covering their home with swastikas, Confederate flags and a racial slur in retaliation for him reporting her son to police. Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office said it was the first time his office has filed a hate crime lawsuit. Cheryl Hampton, 67, now of Streator, and Chad Hampton, 45, now of Victoria, are accused of harassing their neighbor for months in 2020, resulting in several violations of the Illinois Hate Crimes Statute. The lawsuit seeks penalties of at least $100,000. According to the lawsuit filed in Carroll County Court, the Hamptons are accused of hate crimes against Gregory

Cheryl Hampton is shown here in her booking photo after her 2020 arrest.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul Photo by Capitol News Illinois

Johnson, 67, “by lynching an effigy of Johnson in plain view of Johnson’s home in order to intimidate him.” The life-sized effigy “resembled Johnson by design,” according to the lawsuit. “I looked out of my new home at a Black-faced mannequin shackled and lynched on a tree branch, [a racial slur] scrawled upon a window, and swastikas,” Johnson said in a news release announcing the suit. “Our American flag was replaced with their Confederate flag. Have we not come any farther than this? This lawsuit is about tearing off the shackles that still restrain us to this day. It’s about never giving up on the mission of our United States Constitution. We, as a nation, are better than this.”

PRAIRIE ADVOCATE For information on classified advertisements, display advertisements or billing please dial: For information815-625-3600 on classified advertisements, Fax 815-625-9390 display advertisements or billing, please call: For editorial833-584-NEWS please dial: 815-625-3600 www.prairieadvocate.com Fax 815-625-9390 For editorial, please call: 833-584-NEWS www.prairieadvocate.com Publisher .......................................... Jennifer Heintzelman Circulation ........................................................ Abbie Clark Editor ........................................................... Earleen Hinton Advertising Sales ................................... Angelica Martinez The Prairie Advocate is published weekly by Sauk Valley Media, a division of B.F. Shaw Printing Co. Member of Shaw Newspapers and the Audit Bureau of Circulations. The publisher shall not be liable for damages arising out of errors in adver tisements beyond the amount paid for space actually occupied by that portion of the advertisement in which the error occurred - whether such error is due to the negligence of the publisher’s staff or otherwise - and there shall be no liability for non-insertion of any advertisement beyond the amount paid for such advertisement.

Raoul filed the lawsuit after an investigation by his office’s Civil Rights Bureau with assistance from the Carroll County State’s Attorney’s Office, the city of Savanna and the Savanna Police Department. The case marks the first time Raoul has used expanded authority granted to his office under a 2018 amendment to the Illinois Hate Crimes Act that allows for civil lawsuits against perpetrators of hate crimes, according to the release. Johnson bought his two-story home on the 300 block of Bowen Street on Oct. 16, 2019. The Hamptons lived next door in a rental. A little more than six months after Johnson moved in, on July 12, 2020, he told police his orange retractable fence was cut in half the day after Cheryl Hampton told him she would tear it down. Johnson erected the fence after noticing damage he thought was caused by a riding lawnmower coming onto his property, he told police. Savanna Police Lt. Daniel Nevills responded to the home, where Cheryl Hampton used a racial slur and told Nevills she did not want to live next door to a Black person, according to the lawsuit. While Nevils and Hampton were talking, Chad Hampton walked to the front of their yard and raised a Confederate flag on their flagpole, according to the lawsuit. Later that day, Johnson reported Chad Hampton to police after Hampton allegedly sprayed his yard with weedkiller. Johnson took photos of the spraying, according to the lawsuit. As a result of the yard damage, the 45-year-old Hampton was charged Sept. 22, 2020, with criminal damage to property, a misdemeanor, Carroll County Court records show. The next day, Hampton spraypainted large black swastikas on a garage that faced Johnson’s home, the lawsuit said. Police visited the home and asked him to remove them. Chad Hampton was arraigned Oct. 19 on the misdemeanor, and the effigy appeared less than a week later.

It bore a mask painted black and had a curly black wig with patches of white, altered to resemble Johnson’s salt-andpepper hair, according to the lawsuit. The clothing also resembled clothes Johnson wore, and a large chain bound the head, arms and torso. It was hanged in a tree by a rope noose a few feet from Johnson’s property, according to the lawsuit. The Hamptons also allegedly wrote a racial slur on their window in black marker, draping a Confederate flag behind it. The scene, photos of which were filed along with the complaint, was done in retaliation against Johnson, who had contacted Savanna police repeatedly about other “aggressive actions” by the Hamptons, according to the lawsuit. Savanna police visited the Hampton home again Oct. 26. Cheryl Hampton “admitted the display targeted Johnson,” because, she said, they were tired of his complaints against them, according to the lawsuit. She told police she would file a harassment suit against Johnson if his complaints continued. “Even after authorities asked Cheryl Hampton to move the lynched effigy out of view of Johnson’s home, or to at least change its appearance, she refused,” according to the lawsuit. The next day, Nevills and then-Mayor Chris Lain went to the Hamptons’ home to discuss the hanging figure. Cheryl Hampton told them that she was tired of Johnson’s complaints, angry that her son had to take a day off work to attend court, that the figure was a “Halloween decoration” that she had hung herself and that she would not move it out of Johnson’s view, according to the lawsuit. Nevills offered to get white paint and a white wig and repaint the figure, according to the lawsuit. She refused the offer. Cheryl Hampton was arrested and charged later that day with harassing a witness, a felony that carries three to seven years in prison.

See LAWSUIT, Page 4

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OBITUARIES

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for over 40 years. He and Lorraine moved to and farmer’s markets and his asparagus Mt. Carroll in 1985 where he farmed for over even earned him an appearance on the Paula 30 years and retired in 2015. He then moved Sand’s show. to Savanna to live with his daughter, Barb Donald is survived by one son, Doug Weidand Kevin Reibel. Throughout his farming man of Mt. Carroll; four daughters, Julie (Bob) career he always loved his cows and enjoyed Zuidema of Morrison, Donna (Paul) Parker of milking. “There were good years and bad Fulton, Lorie (Tom) Hartman of Fulton and years but there was always a milk check.” Barb (Kevin) Reibel of Savanna; two stepsons, All his kids got an education on the farm and Craig (Cindy) Hoogheem of Morrison and vanna High School withhard the and classa of vanna(Terri) High School withoftheClinton, class ofIowa; 1946.nine She learned about working lot1946. aboutShe Steve Hoogheem MABLE LORRENE WEST married John Breuning and had four children; grandchildren; married John Breuning and had four children; responsibility. twelve great grandchildren; Born:Scott, December 11, 1928 in Savanna, IL Gloria Jeannette (Jason) Sturtevant, Gloria Scott,Velma Jeannette Sturtevant, DonaldMay was26, a member of the Mt. Carroll and a sister, Stein(Jason) of Milwaukee, Died: 2022 in Savanna, IL PeggyClub, Cini,the andMasonic Richard (Dee) She Wisconsin. Peggy Cini,Donald and Richard (Dee) in Breuning. Lions Lodge,Breuning. and the Mt. is preceded death byShe later married Maxwell West and had one later married Maxwell West and one Carroll Methodist Church.On Donald enjoyed his wife, Lorraine; a stepson, Bart had Hoogheem; May 26, 2022, daughter Mary West.andMable daughter Mary West. fishing in Wisconsin on theLorrene Mississippi two grandsons, James Miller and Doug West, Lorrene worked retailcard in Eaton Lorrene workedtwo retailsisters, in Savanna, River. He was an avid player, playing Weidman; LeonorEaton Derrer of Savanna, Savanna, IL, passed (Dude) Controls, Savanna State Bank. She Controls, and theand Savanna State Bank. She poker withand thethe guys andaway loved good game and Lois Toepfer; his parents. ata the age of loved baking known her angel loved baking and was known for her angel of Euchre. He and waswas proud of his asparagus 93, at for her home with food cakes. andher Mac loved going to farm, sellingLorrene his asparagus to restaurants family beside her. food cakes. Lorrene and Mac loved going to sales and traveling. TheyMemorial lived in Leesville, sales and traveling. They lived in Leesville, service will LA, for a period of time and afteratMac LA, for a period of time and after Mac retired be held 11:00retired a.m., invanna 1987, High they School moved with back the up class north of to 1946. be She Thursday, June 9th, at the Law Jones Funeral in 1987, they moved back up north to be around married family. John Breuning She started every had four daychildren; with around family. She started every day with Home in Savanna, withand a celebration of her Gloria devotions, Scott, Jeannette paper, and (Jason) a cup Sturtevant, of coffee. Lorrene’s life to follow at Manny’s Pizza in Sa- her devotions, paper, and a cup of coffee. She Peggy hand Cini, and many Richard baby(Dee) blankets, and She She hand tied many baby blankets, and gave vanna. A tied short visitation will beBreuning. held at gave 10:30 them later married away. Maxwell West and had one a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. them away. daughter will Mary beWest. dearly missed by her four Lorrene will be dearly missed by her four ALorrene memorial fund has been established. children, Lorrene ten worked grandchildren, retail in Savanna, 17 great-grandchildren, ten grandchildren, 17 great-grandLorrene was born to Clarence and Eaton Bernice children, Controls, and andone theDecember sister, Savanna Marie State Bank.inShe children, and one sister, Marie Burkeljack. (Clay) Johns on 11th,Burkeljack. 1928, Lorrene loved baking is preceded and was in death known by for her her husband, angel Savanna. She went to Washington Township Lorrene is preceded in death by her husband, Maxwell, food cakes. Lorrene parents, four sisters, lovedone going brothtoSa- Maxwell, her parents, four sisters, one brothSchool onher Dean Roadand andMac graduated from sales er, andand hertraveling. daughter,They Mary.lived in Leesville, er, and her daughter, Mary. LA, for a period of time and after Mac retired in 1987, they moved back up north to be around family. She started every day with her devotions, paper, and a cup of coffee. DU CHIEN, WISCONSIN ShePRAIRIE hand tied many baby blankets, and gave FIREFIGHTER’S ASSOCIATION them away. Lorrene will be dearly missed by her four children, ten grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and one sister, Marie Burkeljack. Lorrene is preceded in death by her husband, Maxwell, her parents, four sisters, one brothPRAIRIE DU CHIEN, WI er, and her daughter, Mary. DURING THE RENDEZVOUS

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3 PRAIRIE ADVOCATE Prairie Advocate / ShawLocal.com • Wednesday, Jun 8, 2022

attend and wish to watch the livestream may DONALD WEIDMAN do so at this link, https://www.facebook. Born: October 15, 1923 com/groups/1010040592974287. Memorials Died: June 1, 2022 can be made to FHN Hospice. Donald was born on October 15, 1923, near Donald Weidman, Mt. Carroll, the son of Ward and Blanche age 98, of Savanna, and previously of Mt. (Merchant) Weidman. Donald attended country school and was a 1941 graduate of Carroll and Morrison passed away at home Mt. Carroll High School where he played the MABLEinLORRENE trombone the band, ranWEST track and was a Wednesday, June 1, member of the FFA. a FFA member,ILDonald Born: December 11, As 1928 in Savanna, 2022. The funeral seralways tried to beat the Law boys Died: May 26, 2022 in Savanna, ILat showing vice will be held 3:00 sheep. p.m., Sunday, June 5, 2022, at Law Jones FuMay 26, 2022, Donald married SuzanneOnMartindale in 1948. neral Home in Mt. Carroll, Illinois. A visitation Mable LorreneinWest, He later married Lorraine Hoogheem 1971. will be held prior to the funeral service from of Savanna, IL, passed Together, they raised a blended family and 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home. away at the age of celebrated 39 years of marriage. Lorraine Burial will take place in Oak Hill Cemetery, her home with passed away on January93,17,at2010. Mt. Carroll. Family and friends who cannot her family beside her. Donald was a dairy farmer near Morrison Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., vanna HighJune School theWEST class of 1946. She Thursday, 9th,with at the Law Jones Funeral MABLE LORRENE WEST MABLE LORRENE married John Breuning and four children; Home Savanna, with a celebration ofIL Born: December 11, 1928 in Savanna, IL Born: inDecember 11, 1928 inhad Savanna, Gloria Scott, Jeannette (Jason) Sturtevant, Lorrene’s followinat Manny’s Died: May 26, 2022 in Savanna, IL Died: Maylife26,to2022 Savanna, ILPizza in SaPeggy Cini, and Richard (Dee) Breuning. She vanna. A short visitation will be held at 10:30 later Maxwell West and had On May 26, 2022, a.m. married prior to the service at Onthe May funeral 26, one 2022, home. daughter Mary West. Mable Lorrene West, A memorial fund has been Mable established. Lorrene West, Lorrene worked retail inofSavanna, Lorrene was born to Clarence andEaton Bernice of Savanna, IL, passed Savanna, IL, passed Controls, and the Savanna State Bank. (Clay) Johns on December 11th, inShe away at the age of away at 1928, the age of loved baking was angel Savanna. Sheand went toknown Washington Township 93, at her home with 93, atfor herher home with cakes. Lorrene Mac lovedbeside going toSaSchool on Dean Roadand and graduated fromher. her family beside her. food her family sales and traveling. They lived in Leesville, Memorial service will Memorial service will LA, for a period of time and afteratMac retired be held at 11:00 a.m., be held 11:00 a.m., 1987, theyJune moved north to be Thursday, June 9th, at the Law Jones Funeral inThursday, 9th, back at theupLaw Jones Funeral around family. She started every day with Home in Savanna, with a celebration of Home in Savanna, with a celebration of her devotions, paper, and a cup of coffee. Lorrene’s life to follow at Manny’s Pizza in Sa- Lorrene’s life to follow at Manny’s Pizza in SahandA tied baby blankets, andatgave vanna. A short visitation will be held at 10:30 She vanna. shortmany visitation will be held 10:30 away.to the service at the funeral home. a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. them a.m. prior willfund be dearly missed by her four A memorial fund has been established. ALorrene memorial has been established. children, ten grandchildren, 17 great-grandLorrene was born to Clarence and Bernice Lorrene was born to Clarence and Bernice children, and one sister, Marie Burkeljack. (Clay) Johns on December 11th, 1928, in (Clay) Johns on December 11th, 1928, in is preceded by her Township husband, Savanna. She went to Washington Township Lorrene Savanna. She went in todeath Washington parents, onefrom brothSchool on Dean Road and graduated from Sa- Maxwell, School onher Dean Road four and sisters, graduated Saer, and her daughter, Mary.

Prairie Advocate / ShawLocal.com • Wednesday, Jun 8, 2022

PRAIRIE ADVOCATE

4 CARROLL COUNTY FARM BUREAU

June is Dairy Month, so go enjoy some ice cream! I hope everyone had a safe and relaxing Memorial Day! Thank you to those who currently serve or have served in the past. We owe all our freedoms to you, and we don’t want it to be overlooked. June is Dairy Month! We want to extend our gratitude to all our dairy farmers in the area. In Illinois, there are about 1,400 dairy farmers. In 2021, Illinois ranked 23rd in total milk production, producing 1,774 million pounds of milk. The Midwest as a region had the highest total milk production as well as the highest percentage of new milk production. It’s no secret that dairy products are important, but we also want to celebrate those who provide it for us this month. Join us in thanking our dairy farmers and celebrate by going out for some ice cream! ••• While on the food topic, we want to start advertising our peaches again this year. More information will be provided on our Facebook page, website and in our email newsletter. Boxes of peaches will be $42 for members of the Farm Bureau and $47 for

• LAWSUIT

Continued from page 2 The effigy, which was so heavy and bulky police said they did not believe the 5-foot-2 Hampton could have hung it alone, was removed. On Nov. 1, a few days after his mother was charged, Chad Hampton called Savanna Police seeking to file an official complaint for damage to his property – because police cut down the effigy, according to the lawsuit. Cheryl and Chad Hampton each are accused in the attorney generals’ civil suit of two counts of commission of a hate crime by intimidation, and two counts of commission of a hate crime by disorderly conduct. The suit seeks a $25,000 penalty for each count and asks the court to forbid the pair from participating in any similar conduct, including electronically, or from having any contact with Johnson or his property and for any other relief the court deems appropriate. “The Hamptons intentionally invoked the long, vicious legacy of lynched Black men in America to terrorize Johnson because he is a Black man,” and to stop him from participating in Chad Hampton’s prosecution, Assistant Attorney General Alison V. Hill said in the suit. “Our complaint alleges the defen-

Guest Column Sara Norman Summer Intern non-members. We also will be selling a Peach Cobbler Mix for $7 a bag. You can place an order online through the link that will be provided on Facebook and through email, by filling out the form that also will be provided through a link, or just stop by the office anytime. Orders will be due Aug. 1, with pickup the second week of August. A specific date for pickup is TBD, so be on the lookout for that as well. If you have any questions, feel free to call or stop in. ••• Here at the office, we are continuing to plan for events this summer. Don’t forget to bring your children to the library programs starting this month. We have the dates and times listed on our Facebook page for each of the county libraries for the June programs. The program will be on the water cycle this month. Don’t let your kids miss out on dants intentionally used the shameful history of lynching and racism in America to terrorize and instill fear in their next-door neighbor simply because he is Black. No one should be subjected to this kind of hate,” Raoul said in the release. “I am committed to continuing to partner with law enforcement agencies across Illinois to prosecute hate crimes and send a message that hate and bigotry of any kind are not welcome and will not be tolerated.” Intimidation and disorderly conduct are predicate offenses under the Illinois Hate Crimes Statute, and a 2018 amendment to the law allows the attorney general to sue on behalf of the people of Illinois, “independent of any criminal prosecution.” On June 1, Johnson’s attorney, James Mertes of Sterling, filed an application to intervene in the case, which, if granted, will allow Johnson to personally sue each of the Hamptons for damages. Johnson’s suit seeks compensatory damages in excess of $50,000, punitive damages to be decided by the court, for civil penalties of up to $25,000 for each for violation of the hate crimes statute, and for court costs and attorney’s fees. A hearing on the civil suit will be held Sept. 1 before Carroll County Judge John “Jerry” Kane. The criminal cases will proceed once the issue of representation is settled.

Carroll County Farm Bureau members can place up to two free classified ads per week, with a limit of 250 characters per ad (not including spaces). Ads are limited to personal or farm items for sale/wanted to buy, or farm labor or services available or wanted. No ads for the sale or rental of real estate, garage sales or commercial businesses will be accepted. To place an ad, call the Farm Bureau office at 815-244-3001 by 3 p.m. Thursday to get your ad in the following week’s paper. The Farm Bureau office compiles the ads and Shaw Media runs them in the Prairie Advocate as a courtesy in conjunction with the weekly column. Shaw Media is not responsible for the ads and any errors or corrections need to be made to the Farm Bureau office. For sale: Grizzly 15-inch planer. Model G0453 220v 3hp — $800; Grizzley Stroke Sander. Model G5394 220 v 3 hp 6-inch wide belt; table is 23 3/4” x 58” — $1000; Delta 10” Table Saw, Model BJ1728, 1 hp 120/220v — $250; Phone 563-357-3911 Thomson area fun learning, snacks, and a craft. I am excited to be involved with the programs and to teach kids things that they maybe didn’t know or understand about agriculture. I also wanted to give an update on how I am liking my internship after a few weeks. I really enjoy working here and continuing to learn more about not only running a business, but how to work

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with members and continue to find ways to grow the organization. I also have enjoyed being able to use our Facebook page to reach more people through social media. I will be celebrating some food holidays and months throughout the summer with fun trivia questions and facts on our Facebook page. Be sure to check those out and answer some of the trivia!

SPORTS

Photo provided

Natalie Reifsteck, an Eastland High School senior, signed her letter of intent to run cross country and track for Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Natalie is the daughter of Dan and Katie Reifsteck. During her four years at Eastland High School, Natalie participated in cross country, basketball and track. Pictured in the photo, left to right, are Dan Reifsteck, Natalie Reifsteck, Katie Reifsteck and cross country coach Kim Haverland.

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PRAIRIE ADVOCATE Prairie Advocate / ShawLocal.com • Wednesday, Jun 8, 2022

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ABOVE: West Carroll varsity softball award winners are Emily Watkins, MVP and highest batting average; Abbey Skiles, Team Spirit Award; Aspen Eizenga, Most Improved Player; and Lacey Eissens, Most RBIs. BELOW: West Carroll sophomore softball award winners are Domynique Lego, Team Spirit Award; Ashlyn Foster, Most Improved; Bella Smith, Highest Batting Average and MVP; and Caitlyn Stingley, Most RBIs.

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Prairie Advocate / ShawLocal.com • Wednesday, Jun 8, 2022

PRAIRIE ADVOCATE

ANNOUNCEM

Call: 833-584-NEWS (6397) or E-mail: classified@shawsuburban.com

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PROPERTY FOR SALE

AUCTIONS

THURSDAY, THURSDAY THURSDAY ESTATE AUCTION JUNE 9 FOR FRED BRESETTE Starts of Sabula IA. at 5PM Doors open at 4 PM

Weds–Sun 10-5 Jun 8-11 & 15-19 Gift items, antiques, hand made baby blankets, loomed rugs, rummage & much more 815-440-7618

We will mainly be all Tools and boating items such as:

CLOTHING

SM-ST1989326

RIP -N- TEAR: Sewing RepairsBlue Jeans, Work Clothes & Zippers Replaced. In Thomson area 815-541-3178

Craftsman 4 pc. 19.2 V tool kit complete, Hand tools, Skill saws, Boat props, life jackets, throw cushions, 2 speed band saw , Rockwell table saw, and a lot more still unpacking For pictures and complete listing go to Go to Web sites: Tipton Auction service.net Auction Zip Auctioneer # 3815 Tipton Auction House, 3001 IL. Rt.84 Thomson, IL. Or contact : Frank Tipton Auctioneer 815-590-8206 Lunch by Dustys, 815-259-5015 FFL Licensed, Visa, M/C, Discover accepted

Classified It works. 833-584-NEWS

AUCTIONS

Bob & Marcene Meeks Auction (On-Line Only) Saturday, June 25, 2022 (Lots start closing at 9:30 A.M.) Auctioneers Note: Bob & Marcene owned and operated Meek's Plumbing of Dakota, IL; the Meek's name has a reputation of honest/quality work and the offering of these exceptional, well cared for items is no different. We are honored to have the opportunity to help Bob & Marcene.

650 Cataloged Lots!!!

Gehl Skid Loader, Kubota utility tractor w/ loader, Kubota lawn mower, Simplicity ZeroTurn Mower, Kawasaki Mule, Yamaha Golf Cart, Firearms, Hunting & Fishing Gear, Artwork, Tools, Antique & Collectibles, Household & Much More. Log onto: www.rudyontheweb.com

Troy Rudy; Auctioneer IL#440000433 / WI#2618-052 SM-ST1988934

815.297.4846

AUCTIONS

Saturday, June 11, 2022 @ 10:00 A.M. 3076 Alworth Rd., Winnebago, IL 61088

James J. Anderson 815-718-1878

AUCTIONS

“The Les Lovett JD Collection”

ANDERSON LAND COMPANY

116 N. Franklin, Polo

Residential and Commercial property for sale 2 story, 2,091 Sq. Ft. on 1.5 lots,4 bedrooms, 2 garages (1st is 24 x18 the 2nd is 36x 24), 1.5 bath, fence and basement. Asking $125,000. Call 815-590-6474

AUCTIONS

Dixon Country Home 1733 Plock Rd.

The Christmas Cupboard

SAVANNA

HOMES FOR SALE

Auctioneers Note: We are honored to offer this exceptional collection of Antique Tractors & Equipment at Public Auction; most all tractors have been restored and in running condition. Make plans now to join us!! John Deere Skid Loaders, Mowers: 240 Skid Loader w/710 hrs; Model 70 Skid Loader, restored; X700 with snow blower & cab, only 73 hrs., 797 zero turn mower w/72” deck, 390 hrs; 214 Riding Mower; 110 Riding Mower; ATV Wagon tandem axle with dump. John Deere Two-Cylinder Tractors: ’38 Low Radiator G; ’31 GPWT, ’36 B; ’36 A; ’48 M; ’42 H; ’30 D; ’30 GP; ’29 GP (with A in ser. #); ’46 A; ’36 B; ’51 G; ’39 B; ’53 Model 50; ’39 A; ’41 LA; ’48 B; ’38 D. Case Tractors: ’36 Model RC; ’43 VAI; Case Rear steel wheels. Wagon, Equipment, Parts, Etc: JD Barge Box, restored; JD Loader; JD sickle mower; JD Snowblower; JD Model 5B sprayer; JD corn sheller; Wood Beam walking plows; JD Corn Sheller; Two Hayracks full of assorted parts and misc.; Wood working power tools & more Gas Engines: JD 1 1/2hp on cart; Ottawa Log Saw engine; IH “LA” w/hopper cover. Air Compressors, Trailer: Large industrial portable air compressor; 5 hp. Air Pro 220V air compressor; Tandem Axle Flatbed trailer.

For photos & details please log onto: www.rudyontheweb.com or www.auctionbug.biz Troy Rudy; Auctioneer IL #44000433, WI #2618-052

815.297.4846

SM-ST1988933

7 PRAIRIE ADVOCATE Prairie Advocate / ShawLocal.com • Wednesday, Jun 8, 2022

e. Subscribe fieds for a pportunity.

HOMES FOR SALE

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Congressional delegates demand investigation into reports of staff abuse at Thomson prison Lawmakers also seeking information into the deaths of seven inmates since March 2020 By KATHLEEN A. SCHULTZ kschultz@shawmedia.com THOMSON – Three Illinois Congressional representatives are calling for an immediate investigation into the deaths of seven Thomson federal prison inmates that have occurred since March 2020, and accusations of “serious abuses” by its staff. In a June 1 letter to the Justice Department’s Inspector General, the lawmakers cite a new report by National Public Radio and the Marshall Project that, if accurate, “describes conduct that would almost certainly contravene numerous BOP (Bureau of Prisons) policies, as well as infringing the civil rights of individuals in BOP custody and possibly violating federal criminal statutes,” and “raises serious and troubling allegations about the conduct of staff at USP Thomson,” Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin and Sens. Cheri Bustos and Tammy Duckworth, all Democrats, said in a news release Thursday. The report’s most serious allegations include staff purposefully stoking tensions between cellmates, encouraging assaults against sex offenders and informants, and leaving men shackled to a bed for hours in their own urine and feces without food or water, the release said. The report, released May 31, also said staff laughed at the expense of a Jewish man they were guarding as he lay dying following an assault that occurred after he was placed in a recreation cage with known white supremacists, the release said. They also call for a probe of “any other allegations of abusive or dangerous conditions at USP Thomson that arise in the course of your investigation. In particular, we request that your investigation include the role that staffing shortages may have played in giving rise to the conditions in which the deaths and alleged abuses occurred.” In response, Jon Zumkehr, president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 4070, the prison union, issued this statement: “We cannot comment on an ongoing investigation, but we have been fighting to fully staff Thomson.

“We are currently short 105 staff members, including 78 from custody. We are committed to full staff USP Thomson and we have hosted monthly job fairs to bring new staff to Thomson.” The Carroll County U.S. penitentiary has 929 inmates, about 430 fewer than in March 2020. Durbin, Duckworth and Bustos also have worked to address low staffing at Thomson. In April 2021, they sent a letter to then-BOP Director Michael Carvajal urging BOP administrators to support the union’s request for a 25% retention bonus for nearly all Thomson staff, which the lawmakers also had been advocating for since 2020. The bonus was approved five months later. Also Thursday, Durbin said the committee will hold a hearing on the continued overuse of solitary confinement and restricted housing in federal prison facilities, including Thomson. About 7.8% of federal inmates are housed in a form of restricted housing, the release said. The inmate deaths: • James Everett, 35, was found unresponsive in an unspecified area of the prison and pronounced dead about 8:30 p.m. March 15. No information on a cause of death was released. • Matthew Phillips, 31, of Texas, was found unresponsive with life-threaten-

ing head injuries the morning of March 2, 2020. He was taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead three days later. In December, two inmates said to be white supremacists were indicted on murder and hate crime charges in the death of Phillips, who was Jewish. Brandon C. Simonson, 37, and Kristopher S. Martin, 37, members of the Valhalla Bound Skinheads, beat Phillips to death because of his religion, according to the indictment handed down by a federal grand jury in Rockford. The two are charged with conspiracy to commit murder, second-degree murder and hate crime, all of which

carry up to life in prison, and assault resulting is serious bodily injury, which carries 10 years. • Edsel Aaron Badoni, 37, of Blue Gap, Arizona, died about 2:30 p.m. Nov. 27, 2020 after a fight with another inmate. • A week later, on Dec. 3, 2020, Boyd Weekley, 49, of South Dakota, was found unresponsive at 2:30 p.m., also after a fight with another inmate. He was taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead. • Two weeks later, on Dec. 18, 2020, Patrick Bacon, 36, was found unresponsive in his cell around midnight. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital. His death was ruled a suicide, his mother, Shelley Bacon, told Sauk Valley Media. • On Feb 28, 2021, Shay Paniry, 41, an Israeli mobster from Studio City, California, was found in an unspecified area with life-threatening injuries. • On Dec. 15, 2021, about 10:30 p.m., Bobby Everson, 36, was found unresponsive following a fight. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

TOLL FREE (866) 493-2300

110 W Carroll, Lanark 815-493-2323 24490 Payne, Shannon 815-864-2390 Amy Barnes, Designated Managing Broker www.BarnesRealtyInc.com PRICE REDUCED

LAKE CARROLL - $149,900 2.99 Acre Waterfront Lot Part Wooded/Part Clear with Deeded Slip, Call Amy 815-238-8360

LANARK - $79,999 1432 sq. ft., 3 BR, 1 Bath, 0.16 Acre Lot, 1 Car Garage, Call Margaret 815-291-5269

LANARK - $159,900 1920 sq. ft., 4 BR, 2 Baths, 0.76 Acre Lot, 2 Car Garage, Call Amy 815-238-8360

NEW LISTING

PRICE REDUCED

MT. CARROLL - $12,000 0.67 Acre City Lot Located near Point Rock Park, Call Aime 815-291-8256

MT. CARROLL - $72,500 6.2 Acre Building Site, Well/Septic on Site, Hard Surface Road, Call Corine 815-541-5187

MT. CARROLL - $90,000 3060 sq. ft., Downtown Commercial Storefront, Updated, Call Amy 815-238-8360

SAVANNA - $49,900 1286 sq. ft., 3 BR, 2 Baths, 0.17 Acre Lot, 1 Car Garage, Call Amy 815-238-8360

SAVANNA - $100,000 2675 sq. ft., 2 Units, Downtown Commercial, 0.07 Acre Lot, Call Amy 815-238-8360

THOMSON - $12,400 0.51 Acre Treed Corner Building Lot, 4 Mile & Squire Circle, Call Amy 815-238-8360

Now Available

SM-ST1975358

Prairie Advocate / ShawLocal.com • Wednesday, Jun 8, 2022

PRAIRIE ADVOCATE

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