Latest News from Prairie State Wire

Sam McCann to remain in custody pending sentencing

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen, Edgar County Watchdogs | Feb 16, 2024

During the Detention Hearing this morning, the Court ordered McCann to remain in custody pending sentencing. McCann was initially taken into custody prior to the trial, on Feb 9, 2024, for various reasons.

Former Sen. Sam McCann pleads GUILTY to all counts in federal court

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen, Edgar County Watchdogs | Feb 16, 2024

On the third day of trial, and after two Exhibits (1 and 2) were entered and displayed, Sam McCann informed the Court that he would like to change his plea to Guilty on all Counts.

IL. State Board of Education hiding email addresses

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen, Edgar County Watchdogs | Nov 19, 2023

The Illinois State Board of Education has declined to provide the email addresses of its employees pursuant to a Freedom of Information Act request by claiming that disclosing the email addresses of its employees (who presumably actually use the email addresses to conduct public business) would jeopardize the security of its system or its data, Section 7(1)(o) of the FOI Act.

ISBE: D-95 audit findings and monitoring

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen, Edgar County Watchdogs | Sep 6, 2023

The Illinois State Board of Education sent us the following documents in response to our questions on the FBI search of District 95 Superintendent Jeremy Larson’s home earlier this week.

Illinois passed anti-doxing law providing civil remedies

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen, Edgar County Watchdogs | Aug 18, 2023

Governor Pritzker signed Public Act 103-0439 (Civil Liability for Doxing Act) which becomes effective on January 1, 2024.

Test all things, hold fast to that which is true – Part II

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen, Edgar County Watchdogs | Aug 8, 2023

County government is one of the few which involve numerous different departments, and in many cases are run by elected officials.

Test all things, hold fast to that which Is true

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen, Edgar County Watchdogs | Aug 7, 2023

After years of research and learning the laws as they are applied to our local governments, we know there are answers to pretty much every challenge we come across in local government.

Preliminary injunction issued against Governor Pritzker’s attack on free speech

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen, Edgar County Watchdogs | Aug 6, 2023

Governor Pritzker’s signing of Senate Bill 1909 into law lends the appearance the State of Illinois would soon violate the essence of free speech in this state.

Defense Finance (DFAS) phone number diverted to medical alert device sales company

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen, Edgar County Watchdogs | Jul 20, 2023

During a routine records check, I came across a serious breach of the Defense Finance and Accounting Service’s (“DFAS”) telephone assistance phone number for Combat Related Special Compensation (“CRSC”) payments.

Federal Court: The most massive attack against free speech in United States’ history – Issues injunction against White House

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen, Edgar County Watchdogs | Jul 5, 2023

Today, July 4, 2023, a Federal Judge in Louisiana issued a ruling, which includes a preliminary injunction against the White House, CDC, NIAID, FBI, and others.

US Supreme Court Rules Harvard and UNC’s admissions programs (affirmative action) violate 14th Amendment

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen, Edgar County Watchdogs | Jun 30, 2023

In a 237 seven-page ruling issued today, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the Harvard and University of North Carolina’s affirmative action admission programs violate the 14th Amendment.

Are federal grand jury subpoenas subject to Illinois FOIA?

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen, Edgar County Watchdogs | Jun 28, 2023

The short answer is “YES” subpoenas are public records once served on their recipient, absent any court order sealing the specific subpoena.

James O’Keefe and others being sued by Project Veritas and Veritas Action Fund

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen, Edgar County Watchdogs | Jun 23, 2023

James O’keefe, founder of Project Veritas known for exposing corrupt practices by government and private agencies, is on the receiving end of what appears to be a scathing exposure of his activities within his own organization.

IDNR announces 2023 schedule of waterfowl blind site drawings

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen, Edgar County Watchdogs | Jun 17, 2023

Waterfowl hunters are encouraged to mark their calendars for the upcoming waterfowl hunting blind drawings that will take place at numerous public hunting areas throughout Illinois in July and August.

Legislative Inspector General: “Income” not properly defined

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen, Edgar County Watchdogs | Jun 7, 2023

Last October, a complaint was filed with the Legislative Inspector General’s office alleging that State Senator Michael Hastings had filed false Statements of Economic Interest forms on several instances.

Non-citizens to have arrest powers as police officers in Illinois

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen, Edgar County Watchdogs | Jun 2, 2023

House Bill 3571 passed both Houses this past week with Senate Floor Amendment 1. SA1 permits counties and municipalities to hire non-citizens as deputy sheriffs and police officers.

IDOT permits narcolepsy-diagnosed employee to drive IDOT vehicles – IL-OSHA didn’t investigate

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen, Edgar County Watchdogs | May 23, 2023

Last fall, an employee of IDOT District 9 filed a complaint with IL-OSHA alleging IDOT was permitting an employee who had been diagnosed with Narcolepsy to operate IDOT heavy equipment and vehicles on Illinois highways.

Special Counsel Durham report released – Content should concern every citizen

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen, Edgar County Watchdogs | May 16, 2023

Special Counsel John Durham has released his report REPORT ON MATTERS RELATED TO INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES AND INVESTIGATIONS ARISING OUT OF THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS to the Department of Justice.