SPRINGFIELD, Ill., May 7 -- The Illinois Courts Office issued the following opinion on April 9:
1. Held: The appellate court affirmed, finding defendant forfeited his arguments the trial court failed to substantially comply with Illinois Supreme Court Rule 401(a) (eff. July 1, 1984) and his convictions violated the one-act, one-crime rule.
2. In May 2023, a jury convicted defendant, Joseph D. Ferguson, of disorderly conduct (720 ILCS 5/26-1(a)(3.5) (West 2022)) and intimidation (id. section 5/12-6(a)(1)). On appeal, defendant argues (1) his convictions and sentence should be vacated and the matter remanded for a new trial because the trial court failed to substantially comply with Illinois Supreme Court Rule 401(a) (eff. July 1, 1984) and...