(The Center Square) – The Liberty Justice Center has sent letters to Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and attorneys general in three other states, warning that school districts’ decisions to withhold information from parents regarding students’ purported gender transitions violate the U.S. Constitution and federal law.
The LJC said parents have a right under the First and Fourteenth Amendments to direct the education of their children. The group said the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act guarantees parents the right to access their children’s education records at schools that receive federal funds.
In addition to Illinois, the LJC sent letters to attorneys general in New York, New Jersey and Washington.
MISSOURI INCOME TAX MEASURE FAILS
Missouri voters have emphatically rejected a ballot amendment that could have phased out the state’s income tax by allowing the state legislature to raise sales taxes and other revenue sources.
83.3% of those who cast ballots in the Missouri primary on Tuesday voted “no” to Constitutional Amendment 5, while only 16.7% voted “yes.”
TEEN ARRESTED IN EAST ST. LOUIS HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION
Illinois State Police have taken a 15-year-old male into custody as a result of a homicide investigation in East St. Louis.
ISP said the juvenile suspect was quickly identified after East St. Police responded to a report of a body in the roadway near 76th Street and State Street on Monday.
After video footage of the suspect dressed in a clown costume began circulating, state police asked anyone with information or video surveillance of the suspect to contact them at 618-806-7611 or ISP.ZONE6COMMANDER@Illinois.gov.
EX-SEATTLE CHIEF WON’T SAY IF HE’S INTERESTED IN CHICAGO TOP COP JOB
Former Seattle police chief Shon Barnes is not saying if he might be interested in becoming the next Chicago police superintendent.
Barnes told The Center Square on Tuesday that he is focused on his family after Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson asked him to resign last week. Barnes faced criticism in Seattle for trips to visit his family in Park Ridge, Illinois, but he also garnered praise for reduced crime numbers.
Fred Waller is serving as Chicago’s interim police superintendent after Larry Snelling retired last month.
NEW FOID KIOSK OPENS IN EFFINGHAM
Illinois State Police have opened their newest Firearm Owners Identification kiosk in Effingham.
The kiosk, at ISP Troop 9 headquarters, was created to help those without online access or experiencing difficulties with the online FOID and Concealed Carry Licenses website.
ISP also offers kiosks in Springfield and Du Quoin, with additional locations in Collinsville and Lockport expected to open this fall.
