Illinois quick hits: Convicted felon suspected of shooting two officers; Chicago Mayor orders up to $900,000 for additional peacekeepers; Belleville man faces attempted murder charge

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Convicted felony suspected of shooting two officers

One Chicago police officer is dead and another was critically injured after a man allegedly gained access to a gun and shot them at Swedish Hospital on Saturday. CWB Chicago reports that an individual in custody, Alphanso Talley, 26, had two violent felony cases pending against him, had escaped from electronic monitoring and was listed as an absconder by the Illinois Department of Corrections. Officer John Bartholomew, 38, was killed and a 57-year-old officer was hospitalized in critical condition. Talley had seven felony convictions, CWB reported.

Chicago Mayor orders up to $900,000 for additional peacekeepers

On Saturday morning, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed the Peacebook executive order to create the city’s first permanent, year-round youth peacekeeping program. The mayor directed the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services to grant up to $900,000 to facilitate the program with 50 youth peacekeepers and four youth safety advisors.

Belleville man faces attempted murder charge

A Belleville man is charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery and unlawful possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender after a shooting in the Metro East community of Washington Park. Illinois State Police say they identified Charles E. Little Jr., 40, as the suspect in a shooting last Monday that left a victim with life-threatening injuries.

Clarendon Hills man charged with child sex abuse materials possession

A DuPage County resident has been charged with unlawful possession and dissemination of child sexual abuse material depicting victims younger than 13. Illinois State Police say they arrested Marcos Reyes, 22, of Clarendon Hills last Thursday after receiving an online tip last November and executing a search warrant at Reyes’ Hinsdale workplace in January.