Illinois
Groups launch legal aid plan for immigrants, ex-inmates
CHICAGO (AP) - Two nonprofit organizations in Chicago have launched a state-funded legal aid program designed to help thousands of immigrants, former inmates and low-income people across Illinois.
The program is called Access to Justice, which will be funded with $10 million in state money. Roughly 60 organizations across Illinois are expected to benefit.
An estimated 4,600 people will get full legal representation through the program, according to Erendira Rendon, a vice president of The Resurrection Project, one of two Chicago groups administering the program.
She anticipated the funds will pay for about 10,500 legal screenings as well. Her group will offer help to people impacted by immigration policies, including those facing deportation or who need visa help.
"We're trying to make sure more families are protected and able to stay in Illinois," she said.
Program organizers also planned to focus on people who have been incarcerated.
One goal of the program is to help former inmates stay in the workforce, according to Tanya Woods, executive director of the Westside Justice Center, the other group that'll run the program.
Both groups recently held a kickoff event for the program.
"When people can retain jobs, it makes it better for the community," she said.
Florida
Attorney: Mar-a-Lago checkpoint crasher is mentally ill
By TERRY SPENCER
Associated Press
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - The Connecticut opera singer who drew gunfire when she smashed an SUV through security checkpoints outside President Donald Trump's Florida home is mentally ill and wasn't taking her medication before leading a trooper on a wild chase, her attorney told a judge Monday.
Attorney David Roth did not elaborate on Hannah Roemhild's illness, but Palm Beach County Judge Ted Booras agreed to have her seen by a psychologist before another hearing is held Friday.
Roemhild, 30, will remain jailed without bail on charges that include aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer from last Friday's chase through Palm Beach and past security outside Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort and home. Roemhild refused to appear in court Saturday.
Authorities say there is no indication she knew she was speeding toward Mar-a-Lago and its security barriers.
Friday's events began just before noon when a Florida Highway Patrol trooper working an off-duty security shift at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach approached Roemhild as she danced on the roof of her rented Jeep SUV in the high-end resort's parking lot. She jumped inside and refused to acknowledge his taps on the glass.
She then put the car in reverse and drove away. The trooper smashed the window and tried to grab the steering wheel to prevent her from leaving, but she sped away, leading him on a chase south down swanky Ocean Drive toward Mar-a-Lago, 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) away, at speeds in excess of 70 mph (113 kph).
Authorities there say she swerved around concrete barriers and through two checkpoints, endangering the lives of Secret Service agents and Palm Beach County deputies staffing them. They opened fire, breaking out her back window. At this point, the trooper ended his pursuit, fearing lives would be endangered if it continued.
At some point, Roemhild picked up a female relative before automatic license plate readers tracked her to a motel near Palm Beach International Airport. A trooper tackled her as she tried to flee into her room.
Roemhild has appeared in several Connecticut operas and said on social media recently that she had an unspecified performance scheduled in Palm Beach this past week.
Trump and his family were not at Mar-a-Lago during the shooting, but arrived hours later and spent the weekend there. He recently changed his official residence to Mar-a-Lago from New York City.
Nebraska
Former mayor found guilty of assault, oppression of officer
BROKEN BOW, Neb. (AP) - A man who was recalled from office as mayor of Broken Bow last month has been convicted of assault and of oppression under color of office.
A jury found Jonathon Berghorst guilty Friday morning. He's due back in court April 9 for sentencing on the two misdemeanors.
Berghorst was accused of injuring a man during an April 6 fight outside a Broken Bow bar. The court records say Berghorst later used his position as mayor in attempt "to injure, deceive, harm, or oppress another person: Broken Bow Police Officer David Taylor."
A grievance document filed by another officer, Ben Tucker, says Berghorst was belligerent and didn't cooperate with the police investigation and threatened Taylor's employment by asking Taylor, "Do you like your job?"
Voters recalled Berghorst on Jan. 15. The recall petition argument mentioned the two charges against him.
Published: Tue, Feb 04, 2020
