Felix Sarver

3 weeks ago | shawlocal.com | Felix Sarver

A state lawmaker wants the SAFE-T Act repealed after a Will County judge continued the pretrial release of parents charged with the drug-related murder of a child but the law’s supporters note the parents have not violated their release conditions. In a statement on Thursday, State Rep. Patrick Sheehan, R-Homer Glen, said a “heartbreaking tragedy” in Will County exposed the failures of the SAFE-T Act.

3 weeks ago | shawlocal.com | Felix Sarver

A Will County judge ordered a 15-year-old to remain detained as he faces charges accusing him of murder in the fatal shooting of another teenager. A court hearing for the teenager was held on Thursday at River Valley Justice Center in Joliet. Under Illinois law, juvenile court proceedings are not open to the general public with the exception of news media and crime victims. Judge Carmen Goodman issued an order prohibiting the disclosure of the 15-year-old’s identity.

3 weeks ago | shawlocal.com | Felix Sarver

A 14-year-old boy from Joliet died in Wilmington after he was “reportedly not breathing,” according to police officials. It’s not yet known what led to the teen’s death on Tuesday in a residence in the 400 block of Fulton Street in Wilmington. “At this point, we do not have any indication of foul play. We will know further once we have autopsy results,” said Wilmington Police Chief Adam Zinck.

3 weeks ago | shawlocal.com | Felix Sarver

Officers have arrested a 15-year-old boy on a charge of first-degree murder and aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon in connection with the fatal shooting of a 13-year-old boy. At 4:42 p.m. on Monday, officers responded to the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Manuel Mejia Perez in the 300 block of Des Plaines Street, which is on the city’s east side, according to Joliet Police Sgt. Dwayne English. When officers arrived, they found Perez in a rear alley with gunshot wounds.

3 weeks ago | shawlocal.com | Felix Sarver

A New Lenox man who was driving a Mini Cooper has died after he was involved in a crash on May 31 with a Postal Service van. Charles Dircks, 83, the driver of the Mini Cooper, was pronounced dead on Monday at Silver Cross Hospital, according to the Will County Coroner’s Office. Officers responded to the crash at 2:15 p.m. on May 31 at Nelson and Laraway roads in New Lenox, according to a statement from the New Lenox Police Department.