SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois State Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins (D-16^th) lauded the unanimous passage of legislation designed to make it easier for child victims of sex-trafficking to obtain justice. House Bill 5278, approved by the Illinois Senate, extends the statute of limitations for sex-trafficking offenses involving child victims to one year after the victim turns 18. It will go to the House for a concurrence vote before awaiting the governor’s signature.

“It is extremely difficult for a child who has been a victim of sex-trafficking to press charges against the exploiter when as a minor she is still in a vulnerable and dependent position, often unable to live on her own,” said Collins, the legislation’s sponsor in the Senate. “Giving victims an extra year past the age of majority can make the difference between living in fear and seeing justice done.”

Collins’ legislation also specifies that when perpetrators – by deceiving their victims – cause them to fear they will suffer serious harm if they attempt to escape, they are forcing them into involuntary servitude, even if they do not physically restrain or injure them. LeAnn Majors, a survivor of human trafficking, testified in a Senate committee that expanding the definition of involuntary servitude is essential to rescuing human trafficking victims, especially children, from their captors.

“I was told [by police], ‘Come back when you have bruises,’” Majors said. “Victims don’t always have bruises, but inside they have fear. [This protection] wasn’t there for me, but I want it to be there for others.”

“We have made significant progress in the legislative arena in recent years when it comes to cracking down on the sex trafficking of children and this legislation is another step forward that will help police and prosecutors obtain justice for the youngest victims of this horrific crime,” Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez said. “We are grateful to Senator Collins for her hard work on this legislation and her leadership on this important issue.” 

The current statute of limitations for sex-trafficking – whether involving a child or an adult – is three years from the time of the last offense against the victim. Other sex crimes involving children allow for an extra year after the victim turns 18 if three years have already passed. For instance, if a victim was 12 when the trafficking offense occurred, charges could be filed against the perpetrator until the victim’s 19^th birthday. However, charges could be filed against the exploiter of a 17-year-old at any time until the victim turns 20, because the statute of limitations cannot be less than three years.

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office released the following statement Sunday following charges against two men in connection with NATO related investigations:

“While the cases that were charged in court today arose from related investigations, the two defendants are not charged with any involvement in the terrorist case from yesterday, and today’s cases are separate matters. The two defendants listed below each face their own charges arising from separate incidents.”

 SEBASTIAN SENAKIEWICZ, aka “Sabi,” was charged with Knowingly Making a False Terrorist Threat (Class 1 Felony).  Bond was set today at $750,000 and Senakiewicz is due to appear in Cook County Circuit Court again on May 23.

MARK NEIWEEM, aka “Migs,” was charged with Solicitation for Possession of Explosives and Incendiary Devices (Class 3 Felony) Bond was set today at $500,000 and Neiweem is scheduled to appear in Cook County Circuit Court again on May 23.

Dozens will travel from Chicago to Crete, IL today to face Immigration and Custom Enforcement Officials

CHICAGO, IL- Today (May 21), officials from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are coming to Crete to engage in a “public dialogue” about a proposed immigrant detention camp. The meeting will be facilitated by Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. and it will be held at the Crete Sixth Grade Center, 760 W. Exchange St. Crete IL.

(Note: Please see updated version of this article) 

Groups of pro-immigrant and anti-NATO advocates travel from Chicago to Crete to confront ICE officials. Organizers of the initiative state that “As members of the public, we feel invited to this public dialogue. However, while people are illegalized, there can be no dialogue – while communities are terrorized, there can be no dialogue – while ICE cages people even though lack of documents is NOT punishable by imprisonment, there can be no dialogue – while ICE pretends to uphold the law and yet operates above it, there can be no dialogue – we say No Dialogue with State Terror!”

WHAT: Gathering and Bus Ride from Chicago to Crete IL

WHEN: Monday, May 21 at 3:30PM (Buses depart at 4pm from Union Park)

WHERE: Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St, (corner of N. Ashland and W. Lake)

Bus Ride is followed by an Action at the planned Immigration and Customs Enforcement public meeting, 760 W. Exchange St.  Crete IL, 5:30PM.

Background:

Seven weeks ago immigrants and immigrant rights advocates staged a 40-mile, three-day walk from Chicago to Crete to bring awareness to plans for a new 800 bed immigrant prison planned by ICE, Corrections Corporation of America and the village of Crete. The protest brought together local residents and immigrants opposing the plan, turning the small village of Crete into the epicenter of a national battle.  

Itinerary for May 21:

3:30 PM - Meet at Union Park, 1501 W Randolph St
[corner of  N Ashland and W Lake, CTA Green and Pink Line, Ashland stop]
4:00 PM – Bus departs Union Park

5:30 PM – Action in Crete IL at the “public meeting” held by ICE (760 W. Exchange St. Crete IL)
8:00 PM – Return  time

More information available at www. MoratoriumOnDeportations.org

By Chinta Strausberg

Memorial services for Carol Ann Winn, 61, who passed on May 7, 2012 at her South Side home will be held 1 p.m. Monday, May 21, 2012, at Christ Universal Temple Faith Chapel, 11901 S. Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60643.

Winn, who was the only child born to Lula Bell Winn on October 31, 1950 in Nashville, TN, was among the first African Americans to attended the segregated elementary and high schools in Nashville. Having been accepted at Hampton University, she later transferred to Norfolk State University where she earned her Bachelors of Science in social work in 1972.

There, Winn became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Winn worked as a houseparent at the Monroe Harding Children’s Home and completed her Masters of Social Work at the University of Tennessee in 1981.

A lifetime advocate for families and children, Winn retired from Ada S. McKlinley where she served as the director of Foster Care from 1989 to 2009 when she retired.

However, Winn had spent most of her professional career as an accomplished social worker fighting on behalf of families and children. She began her professional career with Planned Parenthood in Nashville, Tennessee.

Winn moved to Chicago where she began working at the Bobby E. Wright Comprehensive Community Mental Health Center. She later worked at the Sadie Waterford Manor as a social worker.  She established a private practice as a therapist.

Winn also worked at the Accounters Community Center, the University of Chicago’s Parent Health and Infant Essex House at the Mary Bartelme Homes, but where ever she worked, Winn was a beacon of light for both her profession and her service to children, and she often traveled nationally and internationally sharing her vision for quality services for children in foster care. She always urged her peers to adopt her philosophy of compassion and excellence in foster care services.

Always active outside of her profession, Winn was a member of numerous organizations, committees and boards including: the National Association of Black Social Workers where she was immediate past president, the National Association of Social Workers, the International Foster Care Organization, the African American Family Commission, and the Southeast Community Youth Services Board.

Additionally, Winn also served on a number of advisory committees at the Northern Illinois University, the Chicago State University, the Chicago Sexual Assault Services Network, ABJ Community Services, Inc., Coordinating Opportunities for Parenting Education, and the Community Mental Health Council’s Professional Advisory Board. She was also a consultant for the Chicago Urban League and the Center for Successful Childhood Development.

Winn was the recipient of a number of honors and awards including being a 2009 recipient of the NASW Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2007 Phenomenal Woman Award from Chicago’s Black Women Expo. In touching the lives of many, what ever Winn was involved in she helped changed and mold the practice of helping people. She was a social change agent whom everybody loved.

An avid reader, Winn relished in discussing and debating books authored by Octavia Butler, Toni Morrison or Walter Moseley. She was a founding member of the Sisterhood, a book club group of professional black women who since 1982 met monthly.  Winn also enjoyed the creative side of life having been a color of African American and African art she so proudly displayed in her home.

She was a walking fashion plate. Her attire of various tribal fashions was a showcase of her pride and knowledge of the Mother Land. Her home was filled with the soulful sounds of artists like Nina Simone. Music filtered through speakers she had in every room in her South Shore home.

Winn loved the theatre as well as African American history, and by example she taught others to love their culture and African American heritage especially her annual elaborate Kwanzaa celebrations.

A spiritual woman, Winn spent a great deal of time cultivating her knowledge of theology and always tried to encourage her friends and acquaintances to explore new experiences and ways of thinking.

Winn leaves to mourn her daughter, Tya Carol, her son, Jonathan Andrew David, her beloved pets, Snickers and Jolie; her aunt, Betty Foster; her uncles: John Winn and Thomas Mullins; and a host of devoted cousins, extended family and close friends. Her beloved “M’Dear” Lula Bell Winn preceded her in death.

Chinta Strausberg is a Journalist of more than 33-years, a former political reporter and a current PCC Network talk show host. You can e-mail Strausberg at: Chintabernie@aol.com.

Housing counselors from Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office will be available to homeowners in need and provide information about preventing foreclosure and avoiding foreclosure rescue scams during the Mortgage Resource Fair on Saturday, May 19, at the Attorney General’s office in Springfield.

Mortgage lenders including Bank of America, Citi, PNC and Wells Fargo will meet homeowners and provide information on obtaining loan modifications. Those planning to complete a loan modification application are urged to bring the following items:

• Most recent pay stubs (2 months) for all wage earners/household members with income
• If receiving government benefits, current award letter (including unemployment benefits)
• If receiving child support, copy of current court order and proof of payments
• Most recent bank statements (2 months)
• Most recent W-2s for all sources of income
• Most recent federal tax returns (2 years)
• Complete & accurate budget
• Letter explaining reason for default/inability to afford current mortgage payments
• Recent utility bills
• Recent mortgage statement
• Recent Homeowner Association Assessment (if applicable)
• Recent property tax bill
• Homeowners insurance declaration page.

The “Help for Homeowners” Mortgage Resource Fair will be held Saturday, May 19, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Attorney General’s Office, 500 South Second St., Springfield, IL 

More information on this free event can be obtained by calling the Attorney General’s Homeowners Referral Helpline at 1-866-544-7151.