1 Front Volume 140 No. 45
Friday, January 3, 2014
The Tonica News
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New laws for 2014 Citizens be aware! By Ken Schroeder news@tonicanews.com
An often-heard saying is “forewarned is forearmed.” There are dozens of new laws going into effect to be aware of beginning Jan. 1. Some of the new laws affecting our day-to-day lives have to do with cell phones and driving, as well as voting and medical marijuana.
Public Act 98-0506 bans the use of hand-held cell phone devices behind the wheel. Bluetooth headsets, earpieces and voiceactivated commands are permitted. The only exemptions from this law apply to law enforcement officers or first responders, drivers reporting emergencies and drivers using electronic devices while parked on the shoulder of a roadway.
Motorists caught in violation of the statute will be fined a maximum of $75 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense, $125 for a third offense and $150 for a fourth or subsequent offense. Penalties for distracted drivers who injure others or cause fatal crashes by the use of a cell phone would receive a Class A misdemeanor, which could result in fines up to $2,500 and up to a year of jail time. Drivers involved in fatal accidents
could be charged with a Class 4 felony, which carries fines up to $25,000 and up to three years of jail time. “Public safety is the No. 1 priority of the Illinois State Police,” Sgt. Matt Boerwinkle of the Illinois State Police said. “Officers will continue to enforce traffic laws to enhance the safety of the motoring public. We want to remind drivers to take every precaution when getting behind the wheel
by reducing speed, buckle up and refrain from using cell phones except when permitted.” Public Act 98-0511 changes the existing legal speed limit from 65 mph to 70 mph on all rural interstates. The act also allows eight counties (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Will, McHenry, Lake, Madison and St. Clair) with heavily congested highways to opt out and maintain the current 55 mph speed limit.
To compensate, speed laws have been strengthened on all streets, highways and roads throughout Illinois, which means people with lead feet will be fined more for high speed driving. Speeding 26 miles per hour over the posted limit is now a Class B misdemeanor while driving 35 miles per hour or more over the posted limit is a Class A misdemeanor.
See Laws Page 2
Cameras in the courtroom Will a camera affect justice? By Ken Schroeder news@tonicanews.com
OTTAWA — In old black and white movies about crime, one would often see photographers in a courtroom during a sensational trial. The actual practice of allowing cameras in court was outlawed in 1965, but it’s been making coming back. On Dec. 17 after conferring with fellow judges and local media representatives, Chief Judge Michael Brandt of the 10th Circuit, which covers Peoria, Tazewell, Marshall, Stark and Putnam counties, sent a proposal to the Illinois Supreme Court requesting permission to allow cameras back into the courts. Thirty-five counties in the state already allow cameras at some court proceedings. The move is intended to give people an insight into the legal system. LaSalle County Chief Circuit Judge H. Chris Ryan said the 13th Judicial Circuit will likely follow suit shortly. “We’re considering it. We’re making arrangements for sometime in January or February to have somebody from the administration office of the Illinois courts to come and give us a presentation,” Ryan said. “We will probably move forward based on that.”
See Cameras Page 4
Tonica News photo/Ken Schroeder
Marlene Simeck holds the quilt she recently completed from her trip to Alaska. The fabric for the quilt was purchased from stores during the trip.
Making memories ... literally Capturing time on fabric By Ken Schroeder news@tonicanews.com
LOSTANT — Quilting has been around for centuries with the first known quilted garment depicted in a painting from Egypt dated around 3400 B.C. With that much history, you might think there’s nothing
new in the hobby, but you’d be wrong. Marlene Simeck has made several quilts throughout the last 10 years with the latest being a homemade souvenir of her trip to Alaska. For the basic material, she picked up a piece here and there along the way. “I picked these up at various towns we stopped at,” Simeck said. “I’d go to the fabric store in each town, so
Vol. 140 No. 45
I’d have some from the different towns in the Yukon and Alaska.” In addition to the fabric used from destinations during the trip, Simeck’s quilt also contains photos taken during the trip printed onto fabric. “You can buy it at a fabric store, but what it is it’s backed on paper, so the fabric goes through the printer just like regular paper,” Simeck
said. “Afterwards, you just heat the fabric; and that sets the ink so you can wash it.” “This design is mine. I made it in light blue and dark blue because the summer is always daytime, and the winter is night,” Simeck said. Simeck started quilting in 2003 after retiring from teaching, and her skills are mostly
See Simeck Page 2
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