Illinois quick hits: DOJ sues over voters lists; CTA security surge

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

DOJ sues over voters lists

The Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice has filed federal lawsuits against four jurisdictions, including Illinois, for failing to produce their full voter registration lists.

The suits against Illinois, Wisconsin, Georgia and the District of Columbia bring the nationwide number to 22.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said states need to provide the information so the DOJ can protect American citizens from vote dilution.

Man indicted for setting fire

The suspect accused of lighting a Chicago Transit Authority passenger on fire Nov. 17 has also been indicted for allegedly setting fire to City Hall three days earlier.

A federal grand jury indicted Lawrence Reed, 50, of Chicago on terrorism and arson charges Wednesday.

Reed had more than 70 prior arrests at the time of the incidents. He is now detained in federal custody without bond.

CTA security surge

Ten days after the Federal Transit Administration advised Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson that federal funding would be withheld if the Chicago Transit Authority did not take action to increase its law enforcement presence on buses and trains, the CTA and the Chicago Police Department announced a security surge plan.

Starting Friday, the agencies say they will increase the average number of officers participating in a CTA patrol program from 77 per day to 120.

The FTA said assaults against customers on CTA vehicles and property have increased 150% in the past five years.