Several Lake County lawmakers are backing a proposed state bill that would create a pilot program to help certain non-citizen victims of crimes.
The bill, Illinois House Bill 2731, would authorize the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office to create a program to represent victims in filings for victim-based remedies in federal immigration proceedings.
The goal of the bill is to encourage non-citizens to report crimes. Fear of deportation often prevents undocumented residents from reporting crimes, local authorities say.
“Victims of violent crime should feel safe coming forward and working with law enforcement to hold perpetrators accountable,” said State Rep. Daniel Didech, D-Buffalo Grove, who is one of the bill’s sponsors. “This bill builds on the Lake County State’s Attorney’s innovative work supporting crime victims by allowing their office to provide direct legal assistance to immigrant victims of crime, strengthening protections as they pursue justice.”
State’s Attorney Eric. Rinehart supports the bill.
“HB 2731 recognizes that immigration-related fears can prevent victims from coming forward,” he said. “By providing legal guidance in appropriate cases, we can enhance public safety and hold offenders accountable.”
To qualify for assistance under the pilot program, an individual must be a non-citizen victim who has never been placed in removal proceedings, must have suffered a violent crime in Lake County, and must not be barred from seeking immigration remedies before the administrative body.
Other HB 2731 sponsors include state Reps. Rita Mayfield of Waukegan and Bob Morgan of Deerfield. The bill has support in the state Senate from Sens. Mary Edly-Allen of Libertyville and Adriane Johnson of Buffalo Grove.
Hit and run
The Lake County Coroner’s Office has identified the woman who was killed in a hit-and-run accident last month in Winthrop Harbor.
Shanna White, 50, died of blunt force injuries, according to autopsy reports.
White was hit by a vehicle at around 11:10 p.m. on Feb. 26 in the 1400 block of Sheridan Road. The vehicle fled following the collision, police said.
White was brought to an area hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Winthrop Harbor and the Major Crash Assistance Team are investigating the incident. Winthrop Harbor Police said they expect to release additional information about the incident in the near future.
Jail brawl
Nine Lake County jail inmates were charged with battery after a recent fight inside the Waukegan lockup.
According to the sheriff’s office, the altercation took place on Jan. 31, and charges were filed in mid-February.
The fight erupted while inmates were outside their cells. Corrections officers were able to break up the fight, and no jail staffers were hurt, Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said.
Some of the inmates suffered cuts and bruises, and one had his nose broken, police said.
“Based on the preliminary investigation, the incident appears to have originated from a prior dispute between several inmates that began before their incarceration,” Covelli said. “Other inmates subsequently became involved.”
