A judge found a now-fired Waukegan police officer guilty of a misdemeanor for throwing a handcuffed man to the ground, leaving the detainee injured, with prosecutors calling him a “rogue” officer. Waukegan Police Officer Richard Tabisz was charged in January 2024 with two felony counts of official misconduct and two misdemeanor counts of battery. A […]
Tag: eric rinehart
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State bill would allow Lake County prosecutors to represent non-citizen crime victims in immigration system
A proposed bill in Illinois would implement a pilot program to allow the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office to represent non-citizens who are victims of crime for free in the federal immigration system. Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart announced his support for Illinois House Bill 2731, which would establish the Victim Centered Approach Pilot […]
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Appeals court sides with judge who dismissed charges against Waukegan city clerk, saying prosecutors presented deceptive evidence
An appeals court has rejected an appeal brought by prosecutors after a judge dismissed felony charges against Waukegan City Clerk Janet Kilkelly, saying prosecutors presented deceptive and inaccurate evidence. Kilkelly was charged by a Lake County grand jury on March 13, 2024, in a 15-count indictment. Kilkelly faced charges of official misconduct and misapplication of […]
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‘Outrageous, heartbreaking’: State’s attorney says federal agents who break laws in Lake County will be prosecuted in wake of Minnesota deaths
The state’s attorney issued a blistering statement Sunday in the wake of a Border Patrol agent fatally shooting a man in Minneapolis, warning that he will prosecute federal agents who violate the law in Lake County. Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said he watched multiple camera angles in the shooting of Alex Pretti in […]
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Lake County deputy files lawsuit against sheriff, state’s attorney alleging he was demoted as part of political retaliation
A Lake County sheriff’s deputy has filed a federal lawsuit against the county’s sheriff and state’s attorney alleging he was demoted as part of political retaliation for supporting the state’s attorney’s opponent. Ari Briskman, who is a Lake County sheriff’s deputy, filed a lawsuit last week in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of […]
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Lake County state’s attorney calls for ‘sustained urgency’ in reducing violent crime after being sworn in for 2nd term
Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart called for a “sustained urgency” in reducing violent crime and getting to the “root causes” after he was sworn into his second term in office. Rinehart was officially sworn in, marking the start of his second term as Lake County state’s attorney, on Monday. All Lake County assistant state’s […]
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Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart vows to appeal judge’s ruling that threw out case against Waukegan city clerk
Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said he strongly disagrees with a Lake County judge’s ruling that dismissed the criminal case against Waukegan City Clerk Janet Kilkelly and said his office will file an appeal. Lake County Deputy Chief Judge Patricia Fix Friday morning dismissed the criminal case against Kilkelly, ruling that the state’s testimonies […]
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Lake County state’s attorney accused by political opponent of violating law by failing to report crash involving county-issued car
Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart has been accused by his political opponent of committing a crime by failing to report a crash involving his county-issued vehicle. The incident happened over seven months ago on January 12 at Rinehart’s residence in Highland Park. Rinehart’s 2017 Ford Explorer, which is a county-owned and issued vehicle, sustained […]
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State’s attorney, city officials respond after no arrests made in pro-Palestinian protest in Highland Park neighborhood
Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart and city officials have issued statements after dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters descended in a Highland Park neighborhood early Saturday morning, with residents questioning why arrests were not made. The Highland Park Police Department responded around 2:43 a.m. Saturday to the area of Woodland Road and St. Johns Avenue for […]