Q. In Thursday's paper, you reported that the Illinois State Police found $1.5 million in a car on Jan. 26. Who gets the money -- the state or the county? Either one could use it to pay bills.
-- Dick Wagner, of Highland
A. Yes, they could, and, if the money is forfeited, both likely will get part of it. But for those hoping that it will provide a small gold mine for schools, health care, etc., here's the bad news: By Illinois law, such money can be used only for one purpose -- activities related to law enforcement.
That's the word from Stephanee Smith, spokeswoman with the Madison County State's Attorney's office, which quickly filed paperwork to claim a piece of the pie.
According to the Illinois Drug Asset Forfeiture Procedure Act passed in 1990, 65 percent of any seized assets goes to the folks that do the investigation and the arrest. About 12.5 percent goes to the state's attorney and the state appellate prosecutor. The remaining 10 percent goes to the Illinois State Police.
So, how money is divvied up depends on the nature of the case. If the feds are in on it, the bulk of the money might go to the Drug Enforcement Agency and the U.S. Attorney. In this particular case if the money is found forfeitable, parts of it likely will go to the Illinois State Police, which seized the 27 vacuum-sealed bags filled with money during the arrest on Interstate 55 near Collinsville; the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southern Illinois, which worked on the investigation; and the Madison County State's Attorney.
"It's based on how much time you put into it," Smith said. "We obviously don't put as much time into it as the agency that did everything, so that's why our percentage is smaller."
Once dispersed, the money can be used only for activities within a "law enforcement nexus," she said.
"You can support community efforts, we buy stuff for police departments -- that type of thing," Smith said. "I can't just get myself a desk unless, maybe, my desk was being used for an undercover operation to do a controlled (drug) buy. There's specific rules -- not only how we get it but also what we can spend it on as well."
Just for the record, not everyone likes those rules. Since asset forfeiture is a civil, not criminal, matter, some argue it's too easy for the government to win cases and that agencies are becoming too dependent on seized funds in these days of tighter budgets. (Other states have laws that permit such money to be used for education or go into the general fund.)
Law enforcement agencies say such arguments are nonsense and that ill-gotten gains should be channeled to a nobler purpose.
If you'd like more information to decide for yourself, you can read the Illinois law at law.justia.com/codes/illinois/2010/chapter725/1977.html; a publication on asset forfeiture at www.drugpolicy.org; or simply search for United States and Illinois drug asset forfeiture.
Q. I recently read the memoirs of Jeanne Cooper from "The Young and the Restless" and would like to email her my thoughts on this wonderful book. I highly recommend "Not Young But Still Restless" to all her fans! Can you help me?
-- Rex Shanks, of Troy
A. I had no rest until I found this information for you and other fans of this 84-year-old soap opera matriarch whose actual facelift was aired on the show in 1984.
The easiest route would be to go to www.jeannecooper.com/contact.asp and fill out the form to send your comments. While you're there, you can also read her biography, browse through her photo gallery and shop for her line of products, which include perfume, jewelry and fan merchandise. (Hey, baseball season is coming, so you'll want your very own I Luv Mrs. Chancellor cap to keep the sun out of your eyes.)
But if you're of the generation that thinks this a bit impersonal, try these addresses: 8401 Edwin Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90046-1025 (check out the aerial view of the house with swimming pool on www.whitepages.com) or write her in care of the show, CBS TV, 7800 Beverly Blvd., Suite 3305, Los Angeles, CA 90036.
For those unfamiliar, Cooper is the mother of actor Corbin Bernsen and the grandmother of eight. This year, she celebrates the 40th anniversary of her 1973 debut on "The Young and the Restless."
Today's trivia
In a bit of serendipitous irony, what tribe did Chief Thunderthud belong to on "Howdy Doody"?
Answer to Saturday's trivia: A "perfect" 18-hole round of golf would be an 18, but since that is all but impossible, many consider perfection to be a 54 on a par-72 course. That has never been achieved, but there have been four reported 55s, the latest by young Australian pro Rhein Gibson last May 12 on the 6,850-yard par-71 River Oaks Golf Club course in Edmond, Okla. The only one known to have been shot on a par-72 course was the first one in 1935 by E.F. Staugaard on the 6,419-yard Montebello Park course in California. The best round in a PGA tournament remains a 59.
Send your questions to Roger Schlueter, Belleville News-Democrat, 120 S. Illinois St., P.O. Box 427, Belleville, IL 62222-0427 or rschlueter@bnd.com or call 239-2465.
Send your questions to Roger Schlueter, Belleville News-Democrat, 120 S. Illinois St., P.O. Box 427, Belleville, IL 62222-0427 or rschlueter@bnd.com or call 239-2465.
