Thursday, December 30, 2021

Driver's License Extension Announced by Secretary of State Jesse White

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced today that expiration dates for driver’s licenses and ID cards have been extended an additional three months – from January 1, 2022 to March 31, 2022.
Secretary of State Jesse White

This extension does not apply to commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) and CDL learner’s permits. This will be the final extension, White said.

“During the pandemic, my office has continued to serve the public, including face-to-face transactions, in a safe and responsible manner,” White said. “This extension is necessary as my office continues to address the heavy customer volume caused by the COVID-19 pandemic through expanded online services and the introduction of appointments at select Driver Services facilities.”

Public Act 102-678 authorizes the Secretary of State’s office to extend driver’s license and ID card expiration dates to March 31, 2022.

Throughout the pandemic, White said, his office has launched a diversified effort to address the heavy customer demand at facilities caused by the ongoing pandemic by requiring appointments at select facilities and expanding online services. These efforts include:

• Requiring appointments at select Driver Services facilities for behind-the-wheel road tests, REAL IDs, standard driver’s licenses and ID cards. Customers may visit ilsos.gov for a list of participating facilities, as well as to schedule an appointment. New appointment slots will be available each day at ilsos.gov.

• Expanding remote renewal for driver’s license and ID card holders. Since fall, the office has been mailing letters to eligible customers with expired driver’s licenses and ID cards requiring them to renew online, by phone or by mail. The office estimates that this will eliminate the need for approximately 1 million people to visit a facility.

• Urging the public to consider using online services at ilsos.gov instead of visiting a facility for transactions such as purchasing license plate stickers, obtaining a duplicate driver’s license or ID card, and renewing driver’s licenses and ID cards, including REAL IDs, for those who are eligible.

As a reminder, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has extended the federal REAL ID deadline to May 3, 2023.

Sunday, December 26, 2021

16-Year-old Boy Charged With Murder in Senka Park Shooting From Last August

 By Tim Hadac

Managing Editor
Southwest Chicago Post


A 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder in connection with the Sunday, August 1 slaying of an 18-year-old man riding his bicycle near Senka Park, 56th and St. Louis, according to information released publicly by the Chicago Police Department.

Police said the teen was arrested by the Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force on Wednesday, December 22 in the 5600 block of South Christiana. Because he is a juvenile, they have not released his name or mugshot.

He is due in Central Bond Court today at 26th and California.

Police said the victim was riding his bike in the park at about 2:30 p.m., when he reportedly yelled toward someone sitting on a bench--who then opened fire, hitting the victim in the abdomen.

The victim was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was initially listed in critical condition but died the following day.




Monday, December 20, 2021

Charge Berwyn Man in September Carjacking, Robbery at 58th/Pulaski

By Tim Hadac
Managing Editor
Southwest Chicago Post

A 25-year-old Berwyn man was charged with aggravated vehicular hijacking and armed robbery after he was arrested in the 700 block of West 35th Street on Sunday, Dec.19.
Manuel Vega


Manuel Vega, of the 3100 block of South Oak Park, was apprehended by the CPD Vehicular Hijacking Team. Police said Vega was one of the men who robbed and carjacked a 37-year-old man in the 5800 block of South Pulaski on Sept. 12.

Vega is due in court today at 26th and California.



Saturday, December 18, 2021

Charge Man With Murder in Southwest Side Drive-By Shooting Last June

By Tim Hadac
Managing Editor
Southwest Chicago Post

A 22-year-old West Englewood man was charged with murder, as well as four counts of attempted murder, on Dec. 13 while he was in custody of the Cook County Department of Corrections on unrelated charges.
Baldwin


Antonio Baldwin (also known as Angelo T. Baldwin), of the 6800 block of South Honore, allegedly “participated” in the Thursday, June 10 shooting death of a 20-year-old man who was standing next to a vehicle in the 6500 block of South Claremont, according to a Chicago Police Department statement.

In that crime, Darrion Stokes was shot in the chest. He was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Witnesses told police that the shooter fired from a vehicle that pulled alongside Stokes’ vehicle.

Police added that additional gunfire struck the vehicle, which was occupied by a 17-year-old girl who sustained a graze wound to the finger, as well as a 26-year-old woman, a 6-year-old girl and a 4-year-old girl.

Baldwin is currently held with bond. He has three court dates coming up (January 3 and 19, and February 1) on charges from three different incidents.

According to public records, Baldwin has been arrested 11 times by CPD since 2017 on such charges as gambling, obstructing identification, possession of a controlled substance, theft, retail theft, criminal trespass to a residence, aggravated assault, battery and domestic battery.