Latest news with #IllinoisStatute
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Yahoo
‘There's just no controlling these weapons': 17-year-old with machine gun arrested in Danville
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — A Vermilion County teenager is now in custody after having a machine gun in their possession earlier this week. Danville Police said a 17-year-old male was arrested Wednesday afternoon near Martin and Normal Streets. They found the loaded, altered firearm after officers witnessed the suspect acting 'suspicious' while walking illegally in the middle of the street. UPDATE: Coroner ID's Champaign shooting victim 'You pull the trigger one time and there's just no controlling these weapons after that,' said Danville Deputy Police Chief Terry McCord. Police said the teenager now faces four charges relating to possession of a machine gun. McCord talked about the string of gun incidents concerning young people over the last few weeks. 'And they noticed the subject was suspicious to them through their training and their experience, and he was walking in the roadway,' he said. 'So, he was breaking the law. So, they got out with him.' McCord also said they found the 17-year-old with a loaded, modified handgun. 'By Illinois Statute, if they modify it whatsoever and give it the ability to fire more rounds than just one round with one single trigger pull it's identified, the definition is a machine gun,' he said. Human remains found in wooded Springfield area, Coroner says This is just the latest of incidents involving teenagers and guns. This situation happened less than two weeks after an 18-year-old was shot and killed at Winter Park in Danville. 'Whether it's gang related, whether it's just kids out there with no guidance or mentorship, I don't have a good answer for you on that, other than we have to have, even more than we already have, community support,' McCord said. That unnamed 17-year-old now faces four total charges relating to the arrest: Aggravated unlawful use of a weapon Possession of a weapon under the age of 21 Unlawful use of a weapon – possession of a machine gun Obstructing a peace officer 'It's not only our special units, but the patrol officers, the detectives,' McCord said. 'I just can't give enough credit to the proactivity and the positive policing they do in order to get these guns off the street.' The juvenile remains at the Vermilion County Juvenile Detention Center awaiting a court hearing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Multiple Central IL fire departments issue burn bans ahead of weekend winds
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Fire departments across Central Illinois are issuing burn bans as dry conditions are about to be exacerbated by high winds this weekend. All 21 fire departments located in Iroquois County, along with the county's board and board chairman, issued a ban that begins Friday. Under this ban, people are ordered to refrain from open burning of landscape, agricultural and household waste. Consumer fireworks are also prohibited from being shot off. WEATHER NOW: Calm, Spring-like start to today, but severe storms arrive by late Friday Fire departments can issue fines of $100 for anyone caught violating the burn ban. Fines will double for second violations. 'At the present time, conditions are expected to be very favorable for the outbreak of wildfires and other uncontrolled events. The dead and dry areas, common after the winter, are exposed and vulnerable,' said Iroquois County Board Chairman Paul Ducat. 'The Fire Chiefs in the county, with the authority granted by Illinois Statute, have recommended and approved this burn ban to prohibit any type of burning or the use of consumer-grade fireworks. This burn ban will remain in effect until the predicted high wind event has subsided, or significant rainfall over the area takes place. An official notice when the burn ban is lifted will be issued.' Neighboring Ford County also issued a burn ban to begin at the same time. That ban will also remain in effect until further notice. Weather conditions raise field fire concerns in Central IL Several fire departments have issued burn bans that went into effect for Thursday, and they are already fighting fires that have gotten out of control. The Tolono Fire Protection District issued a burn ban Wednesday night and on Thursday, its firefighters responded to a house fire. The Mid-Piatt Fire Protection District said its crews saw several burns get out of hand and asked that burning be avoided until 5 p.m. on Saturday. A grass fire in Macon County spread to five buildings on Thursday and the same day, what was once a controlled spread to 10 acres of land in Champaign. The Clinton Fire Department issued a burn ban starting at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday and said their ban will be in effect until Saturday at 9 a.m. 'The extremely dry conditions and expected wind speeds through Friday night will make any type of fire unsafe and spread easily,' Clinton officials said. 'Also please be sure to dispose of smoking materials responsibly to help eliminate possible road side fires.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
