Northern Illinois gang problems, and some of the measures being taken to stop them are bordering on the absurd.
But that doesn't mean thay won't be effective.
In the latest installment, Kane County State's Attorney John Barsanti says he has filed a lawsuit against 70 alleged Elgin street gang members.
Barsanti alleges in the lawsuit filed Tuesday that gang members through their actions have harmed the city of Elgin and seeks unspecified monetary damages from the men.
But it's not the money he's after. Barsanti says the lawsuit's real value is for local police.
According to Barsanti, if the court finds in favor of the lawsuit, the named gang members would be barred from associating with one other. He says if gang members are found in violation of the lawsuit they open themselves to contempt of court citations or a misdemeanor charge.
Barsanti says about 50 of the 70 persons named in the lawsuit have been served with summonses to appear in court.
This tactic comes weeks after a number of purported Chicago gang members called a press conference to speak out against unfair treatment by the Chicago Police Department. That press conference, which turned into a plea for jobs, came in response to a closed-door meeting between police officials at the highest levels and gang members.
What's next?
