by Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan

As chief legal officer for the State of Illinois, I am honored to have a chance to discuss some of the concerns facing rural citizens across our state. Your consumer-oriented magazine certainly provides a real service to thousands of individuals living outside the major urban areas across our huge state.

A big misconception among many urban dwellers is that issues such as crime, gangs, pollution and consumerism don't really affect families and individuals living in small towns and in the country.

Attorney General Ryan

Nothing could be further from the truth. A 1994 study released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation shows, for example, that the rate of crime in rural America rose 35 percent nationally between 1983 and 1993. Between 1988 and 1991, the rate of police officers killed in rural counties in America outpaced that of the large-city police forces. This is an incredible statistic.

As attorney general, I have focused more manpower and resources in the war against crime in Illinois society. That doesn't mean we are ignoring traditional responsibilities of this office. We are, in fact, vigorous in our efforts to crack down on consumer fraud and environmental violations, and in promoting worthy programs to assist children and the elderly.

But I believe the growing crime problem in our state and nation merits special attention from the state's chief law enforcement official. Accordingly, the last session, the attorney general's office wrote and helped pass several significant anti-crime measures: truth in sentencing, when serious felons must serve at least 85 percent of their prison terms; stiffening penalties against those using force or threat of force in gang-recruitment of minors; life in prison, without parole, for adults convicted of first-degree murder of children under age 12 when the death penalty is not imposed; and a sex offender notification act that should help protect children from sexual predators.

Meanwhile, Governor Edgar has named me chairman of his new Commission on Gangs, established to examine the gang menace and come up with viable solutions, perhaps including new legislation. As the governor noted when announcing the anti-gang panel, gangs are no longer confined to the cities. They have gained a foothold in virtually every area of Illinois, taking with them their message of violence, drugs and destruction. Newspapers in most communities contain stories of gang-related violence, and stories of concerned citizens banding together to develop strategies to deal with this frightening problem.

It is vital that the attorney general provides leadership in the law enforcement community of Illinois so that, together, we can mount an effective assault on gangs and crime in general. I have met personally with state and local law enforcement groups, including the Illinois Sheriffs Association, the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, the State's Attorneys Association and similar groups and agencies.

At the same time, the attorney general's office has bolstered criminal prosecution assistance to state's attorneys in the smaller counties where staff and resources are limited. Additional staff lawyers have been assigned to specifically deal with crimes in small counties where legal assistance from the attorney general is helpful.

Another area of great concern in big cities and small towns alike is domestic violence and violence to children. I have convened statewide task forces to address these twin, and often related issues. In the coming months, I am sure you will be reading and hearing about initiatives that we will be introducing as a direct result of these task force hearings.

A few weeks ago, the attorney general's office, in cooperation with a Chicago-based group that assists battered women, published for the first time in Illinois a directory listing the names and address of all associations in our state that offer assistance to victims of domestic violence.

Also of interest to rural Illinoisans is the creation of a separate Environmental Crimes Bureau to got after the most blatant polluters, many of whom carry out their crimes, in sparsely populated areas at night. Right now, we are in the middle of a multi-county criminal environmental prosecution in deep Southern Illinois. Of course, our regular Environmental Enforcement Bureau continues to prosecute environmental cases in our civil courts.

Again, thank you for the opportunity to share some of my concerns, which I know that you are also concerned about. Please contact my office if you ever feel that the attorney general can be of service. Our principal offices are in Springfield, Chicago and for the first time Carbondale. We also have satellite regional offices in Rockford, Champaign, Quincy, East St. Louis, plus two in Chicago.

Rural Tips For Safety

• Install deadbolt locks.
• Make sure, for emergency purposes, that you know your correct address, including county or township road markers.
• Stop your mail and newspapers when on vacation.
• Let the sheriffs department know when you are going on vacation so they can make periodic checks of your property.
• Give your neighbors your phone numbers while you are gone, so they will be able to contact you in an emergency.
• When persons knock on your door, wanting to use the phone, don't let them in if you don't know them; tell them you will make the call for them.
• Require proper identification from service personnel who come to your home for trouble checks of some sort.

Jim Ryan, a Bensenville resident, was elected Illinois attorney general in 1994.

4 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING • MARCH 1996