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Did Tazewell County and Chicago ignore state law?

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Illinois

* OK, let’s revisit a few Travis Reinking stories. Pantagraph…

“The police reports speak for themselves. I think anyone can conclude after reading them that there’s evidence (Reinking) has mental health issues,” said Tazewell County Sheriff Bob Huston.

In case you missed them, the Reinking police reports are here.

* Newsweek…

“Travis is hostile towards police and does not recognize police authority. Travis also possesses several firearms,” said the [police] incident report. It also said Reinking believed he has autism, had made “suicidal comments” and was eventually taken away for mental evaluation.

* WEEK TV…

Officers tried to convince Reinking to seek help at UnityPoint Health-Methodist, and told him he could not leave the scene because he was in protective custody due to suicidal comments he made. Reinking allegedly attempted to leave again before he was made to go to [UnityPoint Health-Methodist].

* I’m bringing this up again because of this Sun-Times story…

The Chicago Police Department was accused Wednesday of a bureaucratic oversight that threatens to make an already violent Chicago a more dangerous place to live and work.

Inspector General Joe Ferguson accused the department of failing to comply with the “clear and present danger reporting requirements” of the state law governing Firearms Owners Identification Cards.

The law requires cops to notify the Illinois State Police within 24 hours whenever they encounter an individual who poses a “clear and present danger” — either to themselves or to the general public.

But that is not what’s happening, according to an explosive new report released Wednesday that was the first by the public safety section of the inspector general’s office.

* From 430 ILCS 65/8.1…

If a person is determined to pose a clear and present danger to himself, herself, or to others… by a law enforcement official or school administrator, then the law enforcement official or school administrator shall, within 24 hours of making the determination, notify the Department of State Police that the person poses a clear and present danger… The Department of State Police shall determine whether to revoke the person’s Firearm Owner’s Identification Card under Section 8 of this Act.

So, I think the answer to the headline’s question is probably “Yes.”

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Apr 26, 18 @ 9:45 am

Comments

Is ignoring a law the same as breaking it?

Comment by My New Handle Thursday, Apr 26, 18 @ 9:52 am
==- My New Handle - Thursday, Apr 26, 18 @ 9:52 am:

Is ignoring a law the same as breaking it?==

Ignoring this law might be, at least should be, official misconduct.

Comment by trooth Thursday, Apr 26, 18 @ 9:55 am
==- My New Handle - Thursday, Apr 26, 18 @ 9:52 am:

Is ignoring a law the same as breaking it?==

Ignoring this law might be, at least should be, official misconduct.

Especially when your entire job is based on your sworn oath to UPHOLD and ADMINISTER the law.

Comment by trooth Thursday, Apr 26, 18 @ 9:55 am
I guess it’s going to take some civil lawsuit judgements to get these guys to enforce the law.

How’d you like to work for the Tazewell County Sheriff? Reinking is mentally ill and hostile to police, but the sheriff makes sure that he can easily get his guns back.

Way to have your peeps backs, sheriff.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 26, 18 @ 9:59 am
Bob strikes me as taking the keys away from an obviously impaired driver, then later acts surprised to discover the person had a second set.

Comment by Jocko Thursday, Apr 26, 18 @ 10:44 am
Further proof we do not need more laws, we need the laws on the books enforced.

Comment by Voice of Reason Thursday, Apr 26, 18 @ 11:35 am
not further proof that we just have to enforce the laws on the books. some laws may be violated, and/or not enforced so Do that people. but there is little oversight of dealers….see little money for ATF….military style weapons are still sold, and several states are the wild wild west on guns but not the part where the marshal makes you give up your guns as you enter town. Like Scalia wrote, regulation is possible so he actually meant more is possible.

Comment by Amalia Thursday, Apr 26, 18 @ 11:45 am
But what if you are workin’ without Durkie’s precious Revenue Estimate

Comment by Annonin' Thursday, Apr 26, 18 @ 11:52 am
If I ignore the law and get caught, then I have broken the law…

Comment by Kevin Highland Thursday, Apr 26, 18 @ 1:04 pm
In my opinion, ignoring the law is equivalent to breaking it. Tazewell County needs to be sued until the county board is forced to sell apples on the street corners.

Comment by Skirmisher Thursday, Apr 26, 18 @ 2:36 pm
The state legislature has ignored state laws for decades. Why are we surprised if a county or city does the same?

Comment by Ron Thursday, Apr 26, 18 @ 6:05 pm