Springfield man sentenced to 35 years in federal prison for crimes against children
A Springfield man is going to federal prison for crimes against children. James Simons was sentenced to 35 years after pleading guilty to multiple charges. Prosecutors say Simons persuaded children to produce sexual images of themselves and
California man arrested in Sangamon County after investigation reveals he traveled to Springfield to meet a minor for sexual acts
A man from California is under arrest in Sangamon County after law enforcement officials said he traveled from his home state to Springfield to meet a minor for sexual acts. Officials with the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office
New information continues trickling out concerning case of substitute teacher accused of sexual assault of minor in Macon County
New information in the case of a former substitute teacher accused of criminal sexual assault of a minor. 32-year-old Alley Bardfield was arrested this week after being accused of having inappropriate relations with an 11-year-old student. Bardfield
20-year-old Jacksonville man arrested for alleged aggravated criminal sexual abuse charge
Jason L. Ransom, 20, of Jacksonville, was arrested for alleged aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a minor. Ransom is accused of touching someone known to him in an inappropriate manner. The incident occurred sometime back and was
Sangamon County judge declares convicted sex offender sexually violent, allowing him to be detained at a state facility
A Sangamon County judge has declared a convicted sex offender to be a sexually violent person, allowing him to be detained in a state treatment facility. The ruling was entered against 60-year-old Gerald Smith, who was convicted
New state budget includes big funding boost for network of agencies providing services to children who have been victims of physical or sexual abuse
The new state budget includes a big funding boost for the network of agencies providing services to children who have been the victims of physical or sexual abuse. The budget added an additional $3.7 million in funding
Meisel: State report: Catholic churches harbored hundreds more abusers than previously disclosed
Attorney general closes out 4.5-year investigation into abuse at hands of Catholic clerics in Illinois By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Catholic dioceses in Illinois failed to disclose hundreds of abusive clerics before the
After FDA policy changes, more people will be eligible to donate blood
More people will be eligible to donate blood under newly-approved federal guidelines. The new FDA policy ends the blanket prohibition of donations by men who have sex with men, or by women who have sex with such