Author: princetonmays

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The results of our 38th Annual Jersey Choice Restaurant Poll are in, showcasing readers’ picks for their favorite dining spots in New Jersey across 45 categories.
Balloting took place online throughout the month of February, when restaurants, after the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, were into their sixth month of normal operation at full capacity indoors as well as outdoors.
The winning restaurant in each region (North, Central and South Jersey) received the most votes in its category. Ballots from duplicate e-mail or IP addresses were disqualified. Editorial discretion was used when votes were cast for restaurants that, in our judgment, belonged in another category.
We usually add our critics’ picks based on visits made in the spring and summer, but we had to forgo such travel amid the ongoing pandemic and we have eschewed critics’ picks this year.
All qualified ballots sent in by readers were eligible to win our random drawing. The winner will be announced in the December 2021 issue of New Jersey Monthly.
[RELATED: The 30 Best Restaurants in New Jersey of 2021]
Lorena’s · Maplewood (North Jersey)
Stage Left Steak · New Brunswick (Central Jersey)
410 Bank Street · Cape May (South Jersey)
Chutzpah Kitchen · Maplewood (North Jersey)
The Waterfront · Forked River (Central Jersey)
Kuo Social · Robbinsville (South Jersey)
Ariane Kitchen & Bar (now closed) · Verona (North Jersey)
B2 Bistro · Multiple locations (Central Jersey)
The Ark Pub & Eatery · Point Pleasant Beach (South Jersey)
Ani Ramen · Montclair (North Jersey)
Taka · Asbury Park (Central Jersey)
Xina · Toms River (South Jersey)
Hot Bagels Abroad · Bloomfield, Clifton, Montclair, South Orange (North Jersey)
The Bagel Nook · Freehold (Central Jersey)
Baron’s Bagels · Point Pleasant (South Jersey)
Calandra’s · Caldwell, Fairfield, Newark (North Jersey)
Del Ponte’s Bakery · Bradley Beach (Central Jersey)
Mueller’s Bakery · Bay Head (South Jersey)
Anthony’s Cheesecake · Bloomfield (North Jersey)
Old Man Rafferty’s · New Brunswick (Central Jersey)
Surf Taco · Multiple locations (South Jersey)
Ariane Kitchen & Bar (now closed) · Verona (North Jersey)
Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten · Asbury Park (Central Jersey)
Martell’s Tiki Bar · Point Pleasant (South Jersey)
Mighty Quinn’s · Clifton (North Jersey)
Local Smoke BBQ · Cookstown, Highlands, Neptune City, Red Bank, Seaside Heights (Central Jersey)
Hickory Hog · Point Pleasant (South Jersey)
Cloverleaf Tavern · Caldwell (North Jersey)
Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten · Asbury Park (Central Jersey)
Crab’s Claw Inn · Lavallette (South Jersey)
Turning Point · Multiple locations (North Jersey)
PJ’s Pancake House · Princeton (Central Jersey)
Chicken or the Egg · Beach Haven  (South Jersey)
Trap Rock · Berkeley Heights (North Jersey)
Triumph · Princeton (Central Jersey)
Artisan’s · Toms River (South Jersey)
Turning Point · Multiple locations (North Jersey)
Molly Pitcher Inn · Red Bank (Central Jersey)
Mad Batter · Cape May (South Jersey)
Arthur’s Tavern · Morris Plains (North Jersey)
Stage Left Steak · New Brunswick (Central Jersey)
The Ark Pub · Point Pleasant Beach (South Jersey)
Calandra’s · Caldwell (North Jersey)
Joe Leone’s · Multiple locations (Central Jersey)
Washington Inn · Cape May (South Jersey)
Cheesecake Factory
Jersey Mike’s Subs
Shake Shack
Cloverhill Tavern · Caldwell (North Jersey)
Hoagie Haven · Princeton (Central Jersey)
White House Subs · Atlantic City (South Jersey)
Hunan Taste · Denville (North Jersey)
Kuo Social · Robbinsville (Central Jersey)
Xina · Toms River (South Jersey)
Bluestone Coffee · Montclair (North Jersey)
Rook Coffee Roasters · Multiple locations (Central Jersey)
Lava Java · Lavallette (South Jersey)
Calandra’s · Caldwell (North Jersey)
Dolce & Clemente’s · Robbinsville (Central Jersey)
White House Sub Shop · Atlantic City (South Jersey)
Eppes Essen Deli · Livingston (North Jersey)
Harold’s · Edison (Central Jersey)
Irv & Karen’s Hot Pastrami · Brick (South Jersey)
Calandra’s · Caldwell (North Jersey)
Catherine Lombardi · New Brunswick (Central Jersey)
La Scala Italian Pastry Shop · Toms River (South Jersey)
Prestige Diner · New Providence (North Jersey)
Rainbow Diner Restaurant · Brick (Central Jersey)
Mastoris Diner · Bordentown (South Jersey)
Faubourg · Montclair (North Jersey)
Pascal & Sabine · Asbury Park (Central Jersey)
410 Bank Street · Cape May (South Jersey)
Black Forest Inn Stanhope (North Jersey)
Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten Asbury Park (Central Jersey)
Mickey & Minnie’s Inn Egg Harbor City (South Jersey)
Stamna Taverna · Bloomfield, Little Falls (North Jersey)
Pithari Taverna · Highland Park (Central Jersey)
George’s Place · Cape May (South Jersey)
Rutt’s Hut · Clifton (North Jersey)
Windmill · Belmar, Long Branch, Red Bank (Central Jersey)
Dawgtown Dogs · Rio Grande (South Jersey)
Applegate Farm · Montclair (North Jersey)
Hoffman’s · Multiple locations (Central Jersey)
Nicholas Creamery · Atlantic Highlands (South Jersey)
Brick Lane Curry House · Montclair (North Jersey)
Aarzu · Freehold (Central Jersey)
Aamantran · Toms River (South Jersey)
Gourmet Cafe · Parsippany (North Jersey)
Catherine Lombardi · New Brunswick (Central Jersey)
Spano’s · Point Pleasant Beach (South Jersey)
Ani Ramen · Multiple locations (North Jersey)
Taka · Asbury Park (Central Jersey)
Ikko · Brick (South Jersey)
Cuban Pete’s · Montclair (North Jersey)
Barrio Costero · Asbury Park (Central Jersey)
410 Bank Street · Cape May (South Jersey)
Calandra’s Il Vecchio Cafe · Caldwell (North Jersey)
Turning Point · Multiple locations (Central Jersey)
Blue Pig Tavern · Cape May (South Jersey)
Casa Maya · Gillette (North Jersey)
El Meson · Freehold (Central Jersey)
Cinco De Mayo · Toms River (South Jersey)
Chutzpah Kitchen · Maplewood (North Jersey)
Reyla · Asbury Park (Central Jersey)
Falafel Brothers · Brick (South Jersey)
Star Tavern · Orange (North Jersey)
Federici’s · Freehold (Central Jersey)
Denino’s Pizza Place · Aberdeen, Manahawkin, Brick (South Jersey)
Faubourg · Montclair (North Jersey)
Catherine Lombardi · New Brunswick (Central Jersey)
Charlie’s of Bay Head · Bay Head (South Jersey)
H2Ocean · Cedar Knolls (North Jersey)
Blue Point Grill · Princeton (Central Jersey)
Lobster House · Cape May (South Jersey)
Millburn Deli · Millburn, Montclair, Morristown (North Jersey)
Toast · Asbury Park, Montclair, Red Bank (Central Jersey)
Barry’s Do Me a Flavor · Beach Haven (South Jersey)
A Taste of Asia · Chatham (North Jersey)
Bamboo Leaf · Bradley Beach (Central Jersey)
A Little Thai Kitchen · Cherry Hill (South Jersey)
Sandi’s Soul Food · Morristown (North Jersey)
Rajin Cajun · Belmar (Central Jersey)
Corinne’s Place · Camden (South Jersey)
Don Pepe’s · Newark (North Jersey)
Malaga · Hamilton Township (Central Jersey)
Europa South (now closed) · Point Pleasant Beach (South Jersey)
Roots Steakhouse · Morristown, Princeton, Ridgewood, Summit (North Jersey)
Stage Left Steak · New Brunswick (Central Jersey)
Prime 13 · Point Pleasant Beach (South Jersey)
Veggie Heaven · Denville, Montclair, Teaneck (North Jersey)
Good Karma Vegan Café · Red Bank (Central Jersey)
Green Cuisine · Stone Harbor (South Jersey)
Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen · Morristown (North Jersey)
Nicholas · Red Bank (Central Jersey)
Washington Inn · Cape May (South Jersey)
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If you previously used a social network to login to WRAL.com, click the “Forgot your password” link to reset your password.
Police: Two dead after Fayetteville man shot woman then himself
Raleigh wants input on improvements to Capital Boulevard
FBI: Items linked to Laundrie, potential human remains found
GE employees plan walkout over COVID-19 vaccine mandate
3 shots vs. 0: More people are getting boosters than new Covid-19 vaccinations
Looking to vaccinate your child against coronavirus? Find a provider near you
'Warm before the rain': Temperatures will reach 80 degrees today
Floods, landslides kill at least 28 people in southern India
Thailand hit with more flooding amid heavy rains

Brice, Appalachian State upset No. 14 Coastal Carolina 30-27
Holliday: NC State bounces BC, but can't sleep on Miami
'That Dadgum Legend' Ep. 1: How Roy Williams bet on himself and impressed Dean Smith
GE employees plan walkout over COVID-19 vaccine mandate
ShopRuralDay to give NC small businesses low-cost e-commerce channel on Nov. 11
Labor flexes its muscle as leverage tips from employers to workers
BRET STEPHENS: Colin Powell, a study in America's 'what ifs'
Editorial: Judge shouldn't need to order legislature to do the right thing. Fund the Leandro plan now
Editorial: Justice is best served with Justices Barringer and Berger recusals
What's the true cost of a phone upgrade? Let's look at the math.
How to take better photos with your phone
New law could change how pork is raised, sold in the US
Wake County inviting residents to 'Ask the Doc' about COVID-19 vaccines for children in livestream series
What's the true cost of a phone upgrade? Let's look at the math.
Pfizer booster shot of COVID-19 vaccine 95.6% effective
Shop local at Raleigh, Apex night markets
Weekend best bets: Barktoberfest, State Fair and zombies
Sloane Heffernan: My creepy neighbor
WRAL Noon News
WRAL WeatherCenter Forecast
Published: 2021-08-22 18:19:17
Updated: 2021-08-22 18:19:17
Posted August 22, 2021 6:19 p.m. EDT
Princeton, N.C. — A driver is facing charges after crashing into a house, fleeing the scene and colliding into a SUV.
Authorities said the the driver lost control of his car on Old Rock Quarry Road in Princeton, hit a power pole and then then crashed into a house.
No one in the home was injured.
North Carolina State Highway Patrol troopers said the driver then left the scene, ran a stop sign and collided into a SUV. Troopers said the people inside the SUV were injured, but did not say the extent of their injuries.
The driver was charged with driving while intoxicated.
Copyright 2021 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
©2021 Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc.

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CIProud.com
by: Annie Kate
ILLINOIS (WMBD) — Illinois residents are now required to wear masks in all indoor settings beginning Monday, Aug. 30.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the mandate last Thursday. He said is public safety concerns center around hospitalizations.
He said ICU usage has increased by a factor of seven this summer alone. He also said that at least 95 percent of all COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are unvaccinated people.
“It is a pandemic of the unvaccinated,” Pritzker said in his address Thursday.
He said the communities with the most unvaccinated residents are the same communities with the least amount of hospitals and resources.
Along with the indoor mask mandate, Pritzker also announced a vaccine mandate for some healthcare workers and school teachers and staff. This mandate is effective Sept. 5.
Teachers must get vaccinated or undergo weekly COVID-19 testing. If the worker refuses, they cannot return to work.
State Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) said he thinks more people, including local units of government, should have a say in these sweeping decisions.
“The issue with mask mandates is that people throughout the state of Illinois are tired of all the decisions for the state of Illinois being made by one person,” Spain said. “We have to restore checks and balances.”
He said Illinois is a very big state with many diverse communities, all with different needs.
Copyright 2021 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Heartland Community College (HCC), and auto manufacturer Rivian are coming together to offer the first look at the new Electric Vehicle Energy Storage (EVES) training instructional operations.
State officials, including Gov. J.B. Pritzker, will attend the event.
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEHT) – A report of a kidnapping lead to an officer-involved shooting on Evansville’s far west side on Tuesday.
Dispatchers say officers were called to the scene at a home in the 1800 block of Stinson Avenue near James Avenue just after 11 p.m. Tuesday to assist Indiana State Police in a possible kidnapping and murder.

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CIProud.com
by: Janie Bohlmann
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Peoria Police are searching for suspects after a Peoria woman was followed into her home Tuesday night and robbed at gunpoint. Police said the two suspects took her keys and stole her car.
“We’re very active in the case. We’re still right in the middle of it,” said Sgt. Erin Barisch with the Criminal Investigations Division.
The crime happened on West Hanssler Place at about 9:30 p.m., all while a Ring Doorbell camera was recording.
The video can be found below:
“It provides us with a lot of information. It provides us with possible suspect descriptions, clothing, height, and weight,” said Barisch.
Some neighbors found out about it Wednesday.
“It is kind of scary because usually, this is a very safe neighborhood,” said neighbor Monica Rayford. “We’ve never had issues here.”
Sandra Brown’s granddaughter stays nearby. Brown said she heard about the incident and watched it, too. The victim shared the camera footage on social media.
“That whole video has affected me,” said Brown. “I mean, for somebody to come up on you like that, thank God she had the doorbell Ring. I think everybody should have a doorbell Ring.”
The incident has put the community on edge, prompting neighbors to look out for each other even more.
“Keep an eye out for anybody that … doesn’t look right in the neighborhood,” said Brown.
Rayford said she never thought something like this would happen in her neighborhood and is concerned about a repeat incident.
“We haven’t really experienced a lot in this area,” said Rayford. “I can’t say it won’t happen again.”
Police agree, but feel the motive was spontaneous.
“This area isn’t a well, or a higher crime rate area. I think this is a crime of opportunity,” said Barisch.
Sgt. Barisch encourages people to stay safe and alert.
“Make sure that you know your surroundings and what’s going on around you, day or night,” said Barisch.
Police said they recovered the victim’s car Wednesday. The investigation is ongoing, but the suspects are likely juveniles.
Copyright 2021 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — The city of Peoria is taking steps to increase its public safety positions.
The city is working to fill all of its police vacancies by hiring 30 officers over the next year.
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — Thanksgiving Day means a lot to leaders with Home Sweet Home Ministries in Bloomington.
The shelter for men, women, and children experiencing homelessness was founded on Thanksgiving Day back in 1917.
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — Former and current city leaders gathered Wednesday to officially start the project on O’Neil Park’s new pool.
Wednesday, Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe, the city manager, and current/former city council members dug the shovels into the ground where the new O’Neil pool will be.

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Illinois high school football AP rankings, Class 1A-8A originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The inaugural weekly AP rankings for Illinois high school football teams are out. Records are noted for each class, according to an Associated Press panel of sportswriters:
Class 8A
School                              W-L    Pts  Prv

1. Loyola (7)                        (1-0)  87   –
2. Lincoln-Way East (1)      (1-0)  81   –
3. Brother Rice                   (1-0)  61   –
4. Glenbard West (1)         (1-0)  60   –
5. Marist                             (1-0)  49   –
6. Homewood-Flossmoor   (1-0)  42   –
7. Naperville Central           (1-0)  26   –
8. Gurnee Warren              (1-0)  25   –
9. Edwardsville                   (1-0)  22   –
10. Maine South                 (1-0)  14   –
Others receiving votes: Hinsdale Central 8, Fremd 6, Huntley 5, Neuqua Valley 3, Oswego 2, Barrington 2, Evanston 2.
 
Class 7A
School                                         W-L    Pts  Prv
1. Mt. Carmel (CHI) (8)                 (1-0)  80   –
2. Batavia                                      (1-0)  79   –
3. Wheaton Warrenville South      (1-0)  57   –
4. Nazareth                                   (0-0)  56   –
5. DeKalb (1)                                (1-0)  49   –
6. Phillips                                     (0-0)  42   –
7. Hononegah                              (1-0)  27   –
8. St. Charles North                     (1-0)  26   –
9. Hersey                                     (1-0)  24   –
10. Normal Community               (1-0)  16   –
(tie) Willowbrook                         (1-0)  16   –
Others receiving votes: Prospect 7, Libertyville 6, Rolling Meadows 5, Harlem 4, Lincoln-Way West 1.
 
Class 6A
School                           W-L    Pts  Prv
1. East St. Louis (9)       (1-0)  90   –
2. Prairie Ridge              (1-0)  74   –
3. Cary-Grove                (1-0)  69   –
4. Peoria Central            (1-0)  49   –
5. Rock Island                (1-0)  35   –
6. Antioch                       (1-0)  33   –
(tie) Crete-Monee          (1-0)  33   –
8. Chatham Glenwood   (1-0)  27   –
9. Dunlap                       (1-0)  23   –
10. Lake Forest             (1-0)  18   –
Others receiving votes: Richards 16, Lemont 13, Providence 6, Deerfield 4, Simeon 4, Kaneland 1.
 
Class 5A
School                                     W-L    Pts  Prv
1. Sacred Heart-Griffin  (9)       (1-0)  105  –
2. St. Rita (1)                            (0-1)  90   –
3. Joliet Catholic (1)                 (1-0)  88   –
4. Montini                                 (0-1)  72   –
5. Boylan Catholic                    (1-0)  65   –
6. Sterling                                 (1-0)  36   –
7. Mascoutah                           (1-0)  32   –
(tie) Hillcrest                             (1-0)  32   –
9. Decatur MacArthur               (1-0)  26   –
10. Fenwick                              (0-0)  18   –
Others receiving votes: Sycamore 10, Metamora 9, Kankakee 8, St. Viator 5, Glenbard South 4, Morris 2, Payton 1, Highland 1, Cahokia 1.
 
Class 4A
School                                      W-L    Pts  Prv
1. Richmond-Burton (1)             (1-0)  82   –
2. Rochester (8)                        (1-0)  80   –
3. Effingham                              (1-0)  61   –
4. Coal City                                (1-0)  51   –
5. Fairbury Prairie Central          (0-0)  45   –
6. Wheaton Academy                (1-0)  39   –
7. St. Francis                             (1-0)  25   –
(tie) IC Catholic                          (0-1)  25   –
9. Stillman Valley                       (0-0)  20   –
10. Mt. Zion                               (1-0)  17   –
Others receiving votes: Marengo 15, Illinois Valley Central 13, Bishop McNamara 11, Genoa-Kingston 5, Columbia 5, Olney (Richland County) 1.
 
Class 3A
School                               W-L    Pts  Prv
1. Williamsville (7)              (1-0)  83   –
2. Byron                             (0-0)  79   –
3. Princeton (2)                  (1-0)  69   –
4. Wilmington                     (1-0)  56   –
5. Rock Island Alleman      (0-1)  52   –
6. Monticello                      (1-0)  46   –
7. Eureka                           (1-0)  36   –
8. Mt. Carmel                    (1-0)  30   –
9. Fairfield                         (1-0)  23   –
10. DuQuoin                      (0-1)  7    –
Others receiving votes: Carlinville 6, Farmington 5, Alton Marquette 1, Vandalia 1, North-Mac  1.
 
Class 2A
School                                       W-L    Pts  Prv
1. Maroa-Forsyth (1)                    (1-0)  71   –
2. Decatur St. Teresa                   (1-0)  62   –
3. Quincy Notre Dame (5)            (1-0)  58   –
4. Breese Mater Dei                     (1-0)  52   –
5. Fieldcrest                                  (1-0)  51   –
6. Clifton Central (2)                     (1-0)  50   –
(tie) Sterling Newman (1)              (0-0)  46   –
8. Nashville                                   (1-0)  32   –
9. Auburn                                      (1-0)  11   –
10. Rockridge                               (1-0)  9    –
(tie) Chester                                 (1-0)  9    –
(tie) Bismarck-Henning                (0-1)  9    –  
Others receiving votes:  Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley 8, Downs Tri-Valley 6, Watseka 5, Eastland-Pearl City 2, Flora 1, St. Edward.
 
Class 1A
School                                    W-L    Pts  Prv
1. Lena-Winslow (6)                (0-1)  84   –
2. Aquin (1)                              (1-0)  69   –
3. Wethersfield  (2)                  (1-0)  68   –
4. Moweaqua Central A&M     (1-0)  60   –
5. Morrison                              (1-0)  50   –
6. Athens                                 (1-0)  34   –
(tie) Camp Point Central         (1-0)  34   –
8. Greenfield-Northwestern    (1-0)  31   –
9. Fulton                                 (0-0)  19   –
10. Arcola                               (0-0)  13   –
Others receiving votes: Concord (Triopia) 10, Aurora Christian 8, Argenta-Oreana 5, Orangeville 2, Princeville 2, Fisher 2, Fithian Oakwood 1, Cambridge 1, Carrollton 1.
 
 

source

Sunshine and some clouds. High 77F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph..
A few clouds from time to time. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 53F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.
Updated: October 20, 2021 @ 2:30 am
Effingham, Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Supreme Court is being asked to consider the laws of the state of California and the U.S. Constitution in ruling on one man’s eligibility to be issued a Firearm Owners Identification card by the Illinois State Police.
The high court heard oral arguments Thursday morning in Springfield in Thomas Brown v. the Illinois State Police, a case in which Brown is seeking to have his FOID rights restored so that he can participate in target shooting, hunting and be able to defend himself, according to a court filing.
Brown was a FOID cardholder for several years, most recently applying for and being granted renewal in 2013. But in 2016, he tried to purchase a gun at a federal firearm licensee, leading the Illinois State Police to conduct a background check. That unearthed a 2001 conviction in California on a “misdemeanor offense of inflicting corporal injury on a spouse” that he did not disclose on his FOID application, according to a filing before the Supreme Court.
In that case, Brown and his then-wife had an argument in a parking lot, after which Brown picked her up, according to the court filing, and she ended up “crawling down his back” and sustaining “minor road rash,” for which she did not seek medical attention.
After Brown spent three days in jail, he eventually pleaded guilty and paid an approximately $500 fine because, according to the court filing, “otherwise it would have cost him $5,000 to bail out of jail so that he could fight the case and he was advised by the company that he worked for at the time to take the plea bargain.”
While Brown’s lawyer questioned whether he knew the arrangement would affect his gun rights, the conviction ultimately qualified as a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, prohibiting Brown from possessing a firearm under federal law. Because Illinois’ FOID Act states that a card may not be issued “contrary to federal law,” the State Police revoked his card upon the failed background check.
Federal law does, however, allow exceptions for gun ownership if a person convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor has had their “civil rights restored” in the jurisdiction that convicted them – in this case, California.
In a 2020 case, Johnson v. the Illinois State Police, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled gun ownership is a “civil right” in terms of the federal provision, a precedent cited heavily in Brown’s court filings.
Brown’s attorney, James R. Angel of Princeton’s May, May, Angel & Harris, is primarily asking the Illinois Supreme Court to interpret whether a specific California law constitutes a restoration of civil rights.
Brown’s legal team specifically noted that California only penalizes gun possession for 10 years following a misdemeanor conviction. That means, they argue, Brown had his civil rights restored under California law in 2011, qualifying him for the federal exception which would in turn qualify him for a FOID card.
“If California has a problem with Mr. Brown being able to possess a firearm, California can change its very clear statute,” Angel argued before the court.
But Katelin Buell, a lawyer for the attorney general’s office which represents the Illinois State Police, said California’s 10-year window is “a matter of forbearance, not forgiveness.”
It prevents prosecutors from charging someone convicted of a misdemeanor after 10 years but does not satisfy the “civil rights restored” exception in federal law, meaning it is “not a substitute for an affirmative statement of restoration and forgiveness,” according to Buell.
“The convicting jurisdiction of California employs a different restoration process for civil rights, including firearm rights, than in Illinois, and California would not grant Brown this relief without him first seeking a pardon, which he has not done,” Buell argued.
If the Supreme Court does not determine that the California law equates to a restoration of civil rights, Brown’s lawyers have asked it to consider the case through the lens of the U.S. Constitution.
Specifically, Angel asserted that requiring a person who “poses no risk to the general public” to successfully seek a pardon for a misdemeanor before they can own a firearm is an unconstitutional “perpetual ban” on gun ownership.
The state argued the constitutional question is “premature” because Brown hasn’t even attempted all non-constitutional alternatives for rectifying the denial, including seeking pardon or expungement.
“If a pardon’s denied, to the best of my knowledge, you can always apply again,” Angel said. “So hypothetically that remedy is never met.”
But the state also argued the Supreme Court can avoid the constitutional question altogether by applying the legal principles of the FOID Act, which says ISP can deny a FOID if issuing it would be against the public interest.
In court documents, the state cited Brown’s 2001 arrest, a 2005 DUI conviction in Bureau County, a 2005 arrest for battery in LaSalle County that did not lead to criminal charges, and a 1997 conviction for misdemeanor assault that occurred when he was a minor.
But Brown’s lawyers cited testimony from his current wife, who said he always practiced firearm safety, and a letter sent by his ex-wife, which stated “she did not believe he was a danger to himself or others,” after the 2001 incident, “and that she believed he was not likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety if his FOID card was restored,” according to the court filing.
Even considering that, Buell said, Brown omitted the 2001 conviction from his FOID application, which is reason enough for a denial.
“In this case, Brown lied on his FOID card application by omitting from that application a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, or MCDV, conviction,” Buell said, later claiming a circuit court that ruled in Brown’s favor ignored “the severity and break in public trust that occurs when an individual lies on a FOID card application.”
According to court documents, Brown said he did not divulge the 2001 conviction because he thought he had received court supervision rather than a conviction.
Brown’s case originated in Putnam County, where the court awarded him the FOID card and stated he had met the qualifications in the FOID statute. Angel said that decision was made in part as a response to the positive letter from Brown’s ex-wife and because Brown’s current wife has guns in their home with a court’s permission, indicating a lack of danger because no incidents have occurred.
The state appealed to the 3rd District Appellate Court, which reversed the Putnam County decision in a 2-1 vote.
Justice Robert Carter, who currently sits on the Supreme Court after being appointed to replace Justice Thomas Kilbride in December, wrote the opinion reversing the Putnam County order, which focused on the “civil rights restored” component rather than the constitutional argument.
“The exception (to federal law) cannot apply in this case, however, because Brown’s California conviction was never expunged or set aside, Brown was never pardoned for that conviction, and Brown never had his civil rights revoked and restored in California as a result of that conviction,” he wrote.
Carter has recused himself from the Supreme Court’s decision on the case, due to his involvement at the appellate level.
The court only heard arguments in the case, with opinions expected later this month or in October.
Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government and distributed to more than 400 newspapers statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.

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First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

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PRINCETON, Ill. — Douglas D. Ray, accredited farm manager with Ray Farm Management Services in Princeton, was recently recognized by the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers for 35 years of membership within the organization.
Ray is an agricultural professional who provides services for clients which may include farm and ranch management, rural appraisal and agricultural consulting.
ASFMRA represents nearly 2,000 agribusiness professionals across the United States and Canada who provide farm or ranch management, rural appraisal and appraisal review or consulting services.
Professional managers represent owners of over 25 million acres of U.S. farmland and provide the direct management of these operations. Professional rural appraisers provide valuation estimated on over 50 million acres of farm, ranch and natural resource lands each year.
Founded in 1929, ASFMRA is the pioneer organization in rural property issues and education. Its focus is to create and maintain a professionally trained group of accredited farm managers, accredited rural appraisers, real property review appraisers and accredited agricultural consultants who are capable of providing expert guidance and assistance to people who own or operated agricultural lands and rural resource properties.
Copyright © 2021 agrinews-pubs.com. All rights reserved. Published in La Salle, Illinois, USA, by Shaw Media.
Copyright © 2021 agrinews-pubs.com. All rights reserved. Published in La Salle, Illinois, USA, by Shaw Media.

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Images taken in Naperville before and after a tornado tore through the suburban community show the sheer power of the storm that completely demolished a home, leaving only debris and the foundation in its wake.
The house that was completely destroyed is in the 1800 block of Princeton Circle, one of more than 20 that were deemed uninhabitable after the tornado.
A Google Earth image of the home before Sunday’s severe weather shows a two-story gray home similar in size and style to the houses nearby.
But after the tornado swept through, images of the scene show only debris and a portion of the foundation where the house once stood.
Naperville officials said the tornado touched down at around 11:10 p.m. in that area, just south of 75th Street and Ranchview Drive, before moving east.
A couple was inside the home at the time and was injured in the storm, two of eight people who were hospitalized with injuries not thought to be life-threatening.
Naperville authorities said Monday that at least 22 homes were left uninhabitable, with more than 130 homes that sustained at least some property damage.
A National Weather Service spokesman on Monday said the tornado first touched down in Naperville, then Woodridge and the Darien area, moving from west to east late Sunday night before ending near Willow Springs.

Based on an initial damage assessment of the Naperville area, the NWS estimated that the twister was an EF-3 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, packing wind speeds of nearly 140 miles per hour.
The damage the team surveyed was “consistent with wind speeds corresponding” to an EF-1 or EF-2 tornado, but one pocket of damage, located near Princeton Circle in Naperville, is consistent with EF-3 rating, indicating that the twister was packing wind speeds between 136 and 165 miles per hour.
The Enhanced Fujita Scale, which was brought into use in 2007, uses estimated wind gusts in three-second increments to determine the strength and power of a tornado.
All estimates are preliminary, and additional information about the path, length and width of the tornado will be accrued in coming days as the surveying crew continues its work.

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CIProud.com
by: Janie Bohlmann
PEORIA COUNTY, Ill. (WMBD) — (UPDATE 8:00 P.M.) Two children are dead after a two-vehicle crash in Peoria Sunday afternoon.
Peoria County Sheriff Brian Asbell said a 14-year-old and a one-year-old both suffered fatal injuries in the crash. It happened at about 2 p.m. on Charter Oak Road.
The teenager has been identified as Owens Bomolo and the child Diego Bonkengo Bolodjawn. Both suffered blunt force trauma and were killed instantly, according to Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood.
He says a car with eight people in it was heading west on Charter Oak Road when it crossed over the center line, hitting an eastbound SUV with one occupant.
The Sheriff said the driver of the car that crossed over the lane was 31-year-old Laetitia Bolodjwa who was the mother of all of the passengers, aged one to 16, in her car. Sheriff Asbell says the 14-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene and the one-year-old died at the hospital. Authorities say the others were all transported to the hospital with serious injuries.
The driver of the other car was brought to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Sheriff Asbell said Bolodjwa was issued numerous tickets including driving in the wrong lane and failure to secure a child in an approved child restraint system. He said the case is being forwarded to the Peoria County States Attorney’s Office.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family cover funeral and burial expenses.
(PREVIOUS) –– Peoria County Sheriff Brian Asbell said two people died in a car crash Sunday afternoon.
Sheriff Asbell said it happened around 2 p.m. on Charter Oak Road near Charter Oak Lane.
He said several cars were involved in the crash and a large number of people are injured. He did not say how many cars or people were involved.
It closed a portion of the road for several hours, with crews reopening it around 5:15 p.m.
Sheriff Asbell said the investigation is ongoing.
Copyright 2021 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — During a special Tuesday night meeting, the Peoria City Council gathered around the horseshoe and officially started talks on the city’s 2022-2023 biennial budget.
Patrick Urich, city manager, and Kyle Cratty, finance director, gave the council a presentation on the proposed spending plan, which recommended spending $255.1 million in 2022 and $238.4 million in 2023.
NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — In the last year, Heartland Community College in Normal has established a number of apprenticeship programs. One in the works now is with chocolate company Ferrero.
Heartland President Dr. Keith Cornille said it will be a two-fold opportunity for Ferrero workers.
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Peoria police officers take to the streets for the sixth “Walk and Talk” event, continuing their mission to build relationships with residents.
The Peoria Police Department started the initiative in late September and aims at creating stronger a connection between authorities and the community. Twice a week officers go door to door and give out resource information, like community center locations, how to access housing services, and how to help fight crime.

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CIProud.com
by: Gretchen Teske
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WMBD) –The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is launching a new immunization portal, Vax Verify, that will allow Illinois residents 18 years and older to check their COVID-19 vaccination record. 
“As more businesses, events, organizations, and others require proof of vaccination, Illinois residents will be able to confirm using Vax Verify that they have been vaccinated for COVID-19,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike.  “With the current surge in cases, more people are making the decision to get a COVID-19 vaccine and this new tool will aid residents in confirming their vaccination where needed.”
Illinois State Fair concert goers with tickets for the grandstand track area (also known as Standing Room Only) are required to provide a print or digital copy of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within the previous 72 hours.  Ticket holders can register in Vax Verify to check their immunization records for documentation of COVID-19 vaccination. 
The verification system follows best practices to protect confidential health information.  In order to download proof of vaccination, residents will go through a brief, one-time identity verification process to gain access to their immunization history. 
The State of Illinois utilizes Experian® as its identity verification service provider.  Individuals who have placed a freeze on their credit will need to unfreeze their credit with Experian® and wait 24 hours before completing the registration process.  After completing registrations, individuals can re-freeze their credit by contacting Experian®. 
After the verification process, individuals can see their own record in the Illinois Comprehensive Automated Immunization Registry Exchange (I-CARE). 
Immunization records are kept confidential and only the individual can access their vaccination history.  Parents should talk with their child’s provider to confirm their vaccination status.  Some individuals with very common names will need to take additional steps to securely prove their identities. 
Vax Verify can be accessed here.
Copyright 2021 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — During a special Tuesday night meeting, the Peoria City Council gathered around the horseshoe and officially started talks on the city’s 2022-2023 biennial budget.
Patrick Urich, city manager, and Kyle Cratty, finance director, gave the council a presentation on the proposed spending plan, which recommended spending $255.1 million in 2022 and $238.4 million in 2023.
NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — In the last year, Heartland Community College in Normal has established a number of apprenticeship programs. One in the works now is with chocolate company Ferrero.
Heartland President Dr. Keith Cornille said it will be a two-fold opportunity for Ferrero workers.
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Peoria police officers take to the streets for the sixth “Walk and Talk” event, continuing their mission to build relationships with residents.
The Peoria Police Department started the initiative in late September and aims at creating stronger a connection between authorities and the community. Twice a week officers go door to door and give out resource information, like community center locations, how to access housing services, and how to help fight crime.

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