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Page 1 - March 19, 2020 / McHenry County News
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VOLUME 10 • ISSUE 13
7124 WINDSOR LAKE PARKWAY, SUITE 5 • LOVES PARK, IL 61111
Four Illinois Sheriffs file joint lawsuit in U.S. District Court On Monday, March 9, a group of four elected Illinois sheriffs filed a joint lawsuit in U.S. District Court for Northern Illinois seeking a preliminary and eventually a permanent injunction against the Illinois Trust Act, a 2017 state statute that restricts the ability of law enforcement officers to coordinate with federal officials regarding the custody of illegal aliens. The suit also seeks a declaratory judgment that the Trust Act is in fact preempted by both the U.S. Constitution and Congressional statutes and is therefore invalid and unenforceable. The suit was filed on behalf of McHenry County Sheriff Bill Prim, Ogle County Sheriff Brian E. VanVickle, Stephenson County Sheriff David Snyders and Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey. It names Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul as defendant. The sheriffs jointly contend that the Trust Act has exposed them and their offices to litigation over the years as three of the four have been sued for alleged violations of the Act. The suit notes that the federal government alone has broad and undoubted authority “to regulate matters pertaining to immigration and the status of aliens” and that this authority has been exercised continuously since the nation’s founding and reaffirmed as recently as 2012 in the U.S. Supreme Court decision Arizona v. United States, 567 U.S. 387, 394. “Based on its enumerated powers and its constitutional power as a sovereign to control and conduct rela-
tions with foreign nations, the federal government alone has the authority to establish immigration laws, the execution of which the States cannot obstruct,” the suit notes. It continues: “The Trust Act has both the purpose and effect of obstructing federal immigration enforcement in Illinois.” The majority of the conflict between the Trust Act and federal law revolves around the use of “detainers,” which require local law enforcement officers to maintain custody of an undocumented alien for up to 48 hours to give federal officials time to discover his or her immigration status. Based on their findings, the individual may then be released or turned over to the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). However, the Trust Act bars any law enforcement agency or official from detaining “any individual solely on the basis of any immigration detainer….” According to the suit, the net result is the “Trust Act is in direct conflict with federal laws requiring cooperation and communication between federal and state law enforcement officials.” All despite the fact that as the Arizona case decision declares: “Consultation between federal and state officials is an important feature of the immigration system.” Concluding, the lawsuit asserts that the sheriffs face “irreparable harm in the face of ongoing litigation and threats of enforcement of the Trust Act” and that “enforcement of an unconstitutional law creates per se irreparable harm.”
THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020
Music concert at Lost Valley
COURTESY PHOTO McHenry County News
Friday, April 3, 6:30–9 p.m. Lost Valley Visitor Center, Glacial Park Ages 14+. Register by April 1. Join the McHenry County Conservation District for an evening concert in a beautiful setting featuring Nine Worlds Ensemble. Nine Worlds Ensemble is a new approach to chamber music. With backgrounds in classical, jazz, pop, rock and more, Nine Worlds bring a diverse approach to music performance. It is a two-hour whirlwind of music inspired by the four seasons. Coffee, tea, and gourmet sweets will be provided. Space is limited; register today at apm.activecommunities.com/ mccdistrict/Activity_Search/1310.
District 155 addresses coronavirus The following is a statement from District 155: “District administration is monitoring the international coronavirus outbreak and has been in contact with the local public health department to identify preventative measures we can put in place to protect our students and staff.” “In District 155, we are continuing to take necessary precautions to ensure our facilities are properly disinfected and cleaned with the same cleaner used in hospitals, and food service operations to prevent the spread of illnesses, and; “Nurses have been trained by the
McHenry County Department of Health. “We want to remind parents that it is important to keep children who are sick at home in the event they are too sick to learn and there is a risk of making others ill. “As families prepare for traveling over spring break, please be aware of the following precautionary federal guidelines the district is following regarding student travel due to the global spread of the coronavirus. “Any student returning from a
location with sustained widespread transmission (Travel Warning of Level 3) should not attend school for 14 days after the return date. “Absences for this purpose will be excused. “For more information, please visit the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) COVID-19 information for travel website. “If you have general questions about coronavirus (COVID-19) please call the Illinois Department of Health Hotline at 800-889-3931 or email: dph.sick@illinois.gov.
State Capitol events canceled The Illinois Secretary of State’s office is taking a number of precautionary measures to limit the possibilities for the exposure of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) at the State Capitol. Permits for all scheduled tours of the Illinois State Capitol Building and all events scheduled to take place at the Capitol Building have been canceled. In addition, lobbyists who have lobby days or other events at the Capitol Building are being encouraged to alert them to these cancellations.
Driver Services office closed Crystal Lake road project
COURTESY PHOTO McHenry County News
Watch for delays and detours now through November 2020 as improvements gets underway. The project includes: Installation of permanent traffic signals; Main Street, south of the intersection, will be widened to include two dedicated through lanes and dedicated right and left turn lanes; Crystal Lake Avenue, east of the intersection, will be widened to include turn lanes; pavement resurfacing; water main upgrades; and installation of planters and parkway trees at the southwest corner of the intersection. For up-to-date project information, visit www.crystallake.org, click “Our Community”, then “Main Street and Crystal Lake Avenue Intersection”.
Secretary of State Jesse White announced the Driver Services facility located in the James R. Thompson Center (JRTC), 100 West Randolph St. in Chicago will be closed as the entire building has been closed to the general public. However, all other Driver Services facilities statewide will remain open. “We want to continue providing vital services to the people of Illinois,” said White. “But we are mindful of the health concerns brought about by COVID-19. As a result, we are strongly encouraging those who do not need immediate service to consider delaying their visit to a facility.” Customers are encouraged to
take advantage of online services at cyberdriveillinois.com, some of which include: obtaining a duplicate driver’s license or ID card, renewing a vehicle registration, obtaining a driver record abstract or renewing a standard driver’s license with the Safe Driver Renewal program. Customers who feel sick or those with a weakened immune system should consider visiting a facility at a later date. White stressed that the office will continue to monitor the COVID-19 crisis and may adjust depending on news and events involving the virus and our state’s comprehensive responses to it.