The conviction of Donald Trump Thursday on charges that he falsified business records to cover up a payoff to an adult film actress brought reaction across the political and legal worlds, including from Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart.
Rinehart, a Democrat who is seeking re-election in November in a race with GOP candidate Mary Cole, criticized Trump supporters and Republicans for attacking the legal system and the process that resulted in Trump’s conviction on 34 felony charges in New York City.
“We can’t have safe communities when one political party aggressively and disingenuously attacks the courts and electoral authorities when they disagree with an outcome,” he said in a statement released by his campaign.
“Republicans up and down the ballot have a choice: tell extremists to stop attacking the legal system over a jury’s verdict or continue to allow these conspiracy theories to grow until we have another January 6,” Rinehart continued. “Locally, I am disheartened to hear the Illinois Republican Party continue Trump’s attack on judges and prosecutors.”
Home confinement
A Lincolnshire woman has been sentenced to three years of home confinement after pleading guilty to setting her house on fire while her husband was inside.
Jisha Kurian, 36, pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated arson. In addition to the home confinement, she was placed on four years of probation and ordered to perform 200 hours of community service.
Prosecutors said they asked for a jail sentence in the case.
Authorities alleged that she lit a fire at her house in the 200 block of Dover Circle in July 2021 while her husband was asleep. He was not injured, and firefighters extinguished the blaze.
Investigators determined that the fire was set intentionally, and Kurian was arrested and charged with arson. She and her husband have since divorced, according to court records.
Support dog
The Lake County Child Advocacy Center recently welcomed its newest member, a labrador retriever named Linden who will serve as a support dog for children and families dealing with trauma.
Linden is 2 years old and was trained and donated by Duo Dogs, a national non-profit organization that connects people with dogs.
LCCAC is the branch of the State’s Attorney’s Office that advocates for and supports children who have been sexual or physical abuse victims. Linden will accompany kids as they go through the interview process.
LCCAC education and outreach coordinator Carrie Wings is serving as Linden’s handler.
“He has quickly become a member of our team and is already affecting those around him,” Wings said. “Linden is a sweet and gentle boy. I am grateful that Linden was chosen for us and that he is here to help children through a difficult and trying time while providing comfort and ease.””
Linden is the third dog to be donated to the State’s Attorney’s Office to work in the Child Advocacy Center.
“Linden is wonderful,” State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said. “The most important thing is that we provide children with every comfort possible to help them while also making sure that our investigations are accurate and effective.
“As a father of two and a dog owner myself, I have seen firsthand how important dogs can be in the lives of children,” he said.
Honor guards
The Waukegan Police Department’s Honor Guard was one of more than 200 that participated in ceremonies in Washington, D.C. at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
The commemoration, which took place during the week of May 15, brought 240 honor guards to the nation’s capital to honor the families of officers who died in the line of duty.
Bike patrols
Zion police officers will be hitting the road on two wheels, as a sergeant and 10 officers recently completed training for the department’s bicycle patrol unit.
The ZPD officers took part in a weeklong training session with the International Police Mountain Bike Association, which will allow police to deploy officers for special events and circumstances.
The department said the bicycling officers can more easily interact with residents, strengthening bonds between police and the community.
“Keep an eye out for our officers as they pedal around Zion,” the department said in a social media post. “We encourage you to say ‘Hi’ when you see them riding through the neighborhoods and parks.”
Outrun the Cops
The Gurnee police officers union lodge will host the 12th annual Outrun the Cops 5K run/walk on June 29.
The event features both a 10K and 5K run or walk, along with events for kids. Adult registration fees for this charity event will benefit the Lake County Child Advocacy Center.
For additional information, go to the Gurnee police Facebook page.
