Three years ago, Lillian Solis, 29, was charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of Elda Portela, 25, in Highland Park. In June 2003, Portela was allegedly stabbed to death while babysitting.

Lake County prosecutors dropped the murder charges on Wednesday against the woman in exchange for her guilty plea to obstructing justice in the death of Portela.

Truth be told, Solis was only involved in the arrangement of the slaying, she didn’t actually perform the act of stabbing the victim. According to the prosecutors, the arrangement was made because she feared Portela would tell her husband about a recent love affair she had. The two people who served as hitmen, Jose Cruz, 25, and Arnuflo Martinez, 23, are serving 47 and 35-year prison sentences after pleading guilty to first-degree murder. Solis fled to Florida shortly after the murder and was arrested by investigators in Janurary.

The slaying is reported to be an act of revenge. Cruz balmed Portela for his brother’s slaying in Central America several years ago. Prosecutors asked Solis for a guilty plea because they were unable to prove her direct involvement in the slaying. She is sentenced to two years’ probation. Solis’s visa has expired, and is expected to be deported to Guatemala.

Technorati Tags: Highland Park, Lake County, first-degree murder, Lillian Solis, Elda Portela

Ulises Ruiz, Governor of Oaxaca, was asked to step down from office on Friday by the Mexican congress and protesters.   This incident as put Mexico “on edge” as protesters vowed to continue their fight even though Ruiz claims he will not step down.  Bradley Will, an Illinois journalist who grew up in Kenilworth, IL, died as part of the extreme violence that has been taking place in this portion of Mexico.  Will was among at least nine deaths since May, in what started as a teachers strike that has quickly grown into massive protests and violence.  Thursday was the biggest day of violence yet, in which at least 50 people were injured as the city filled with smoke.

Will was shot and killed late last month during an attempt by the Mexican government and paramilitary forces to retake Oaxaca after five months of worker control.  He was allegedly murdered while video-taping government security forces and that his tapes show his killer shooting him.  He was an Indymedia reporter.

Ruiz is now facing criticism for the death of Will, “whose shooting has become legend in Oaxaca.  His image is captured in many day of the dead shrines.

The conflict continues to progress as more violence emerges.  But the death of Bradley Will will not be forgotten in either Oaxaca or Illinois.

Source - Chicago Tribune

Technorati Tags: Kenilworth, Coaxaca, Mexico, Mexican congress, Indymedia, Chicago Tribune, Ulises Ruiz

As strange as that may sound, Deerfield is putting an end to shoppers “clutter and confusion”.  Apparently, too many neon lights in a store window creates clutter and confusion, and Deerfield officials are trying to fix that problem.

A committee was formed to study new window signs to provide a tasteful way to advertise.  If the committee proposes regulations, no neon signs would be allowed in any windows in Deerfield’s commercial areas.

It is possible, however, that neon “OPEN” signs will be allowed, and existing neon business signs that take up no more than 15 percent of a window’s area.

Why is Deerfield so strict about signage?  I personally don’t believe that signs create confusion among shoppers.  It’s just a means of advertisement and attraction for customers.

Right now, permanent signs that do not contain neon could cover no more than 15 percent of the window area, and temporary signs could cover no more than 10 percent.   Why such a big deal?

If the regulations go through, businesses would have two years to comply, including an appeal process.   By Dec. 4, the decision will be made.  Really, this whole regulation is just to rid the village of ugly appearances.  This is taking it too far, and is very unfair for businesses.

Technorati Tags: Deerfield, neon