April 10, 2006

Illinois Criminal System Used in Civil Dispute: $300,000 Changes Hands, A Mother is Charged With a Crime; The Amy Joan Schneider Story Can Not End Here

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., April 7 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following is an article by Nell Kinzer-Smith on the Amy Schneider case:

A 39-year-old Mother of five is representing herself against some unbelievable odds in what appears to be a politically money driven court. Amy Joan Schneider says she is in the Macon County Illinois Probate Court System fighting to reunite her children so they can "at least see each other."

I was attracted to this case after having completed some light research and being astounded by documentation confirming use of the Illinois Criminal Court as a litigation weapon.

Schneider says Probate Judge Albert "AG" Webber IV is corrupt; and is able to ignore the constitution because of Illinois Supreme Court Justice Rita B. Garman. Public records show that Garman, a Republican, appointed Webber as Judge in 2001, and that Webber gave Garman political campaign money. Judges' John Shonkwiler, John Greanias, Mitchell K. Shick, and Scott Diamond, all Republicans, are named in Schneider's pleadings filed in the court.

This is where it all gets peculiar for me.

Decatur Illinois attorney Kurt B. Bickes is one of the opposing lawyers in Schneider's civil case. Records show Schneider's sister, Karen Coates, has spent three hundred thousand dollars on attorney fees including Kurt Bickes. It was not Coates' money; it belonged to Schneider's minor children. You have probably guessed who Judge Webber gave possession of Schneider's children—that would be Karen Coates.

According to court records, on February 7, 2005, Bickes filed Direct Criminal Contempt charges against Schneider inside the ongoing civil case. This was after Schneider filed a petition to remove Judge Webber. Bickes' criminal contempt complaint asked the court to fine Schneider $25,000 and incarcerate her in county jail for six months. Now Schneider is facing criminal charges based solely upon actions taken by her civil litigation opponents.

This seems wrong. If this were a common tactic available to both parties in an impartial system, wouldn't the Illinois system simply collapse from the parties bringing criminal charges against one another?

Schneider says her family is victim to Webber's personal vendetta and Illinois Republican politics. Now keep in mind that Schneider is currently raising three other children ages 12, 8, and 3. Schneider is a college graduate, owns her home and has run her own photography business for the past 15 years as her only source of income. She appears quite a remarkable upstanding person to be forcefully deprived of seeing two of her five children by a probate court.

Contact: Amy Schneider, 309-452-7466

December 16, 2005

Eleven-Year-Old Illinois Racial Segregation Victim Will Pray for Those Who Trespass Against Her

Contact: Amy J. Schneider, 309-452-7466

NORMAL, Ill., Dec. 16 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Amy Schneider, a mother of five, has spent over three years in Macon County Illinois' probate court trying to regain possession of her two oldest children, Kaela Elizabeth Sliney-Schneider and Joshua Matthew Sliney-Schneider, both Caucasian. Schneider lives in Normal, Illinois with her three younger black children, including eleven year old Hailey.

"Hailey and her two black siblings have been forbidden to see their own brother and sister," said Schneider. "Albert Webber, Rita Garman, Sue Myerscough, Mitchell Shick and others have conspired to subvert the Illinois Court System and maintain a racially motivated de-facto adoption in clear violation of constitutional law," says Schneider.

"It's hard for me to think that it is not their fault when they are mean to us on purpose," Hailey said. "My church teaches that I must pray for those who cast evil deeds against me. That seems really backwards to me but my parents say to trust God and he will keep my heart pure."

According to court records, Schneider is representing herself in both the United States and Illinois courts. "It has been hard for all of us," Hailey said. "I was especially sad at my little brother's seventh birthday this year. We had fun and we had a cake, but his one big wish was to have his brother Josh there with him on his special day."

"When I get sad about this, I look at a book that my black Grandmother gave me when I was three," says Hailey. "It's called 'Thank You, God.' My sad-time prayer reads, 'Dear God, Thank you for forgiving me my sins. Please help me to forgive other people too. In Jesus' name, Amen.' (Mark 11:25) It's not much but it makes me feel better."

Hailey said that she attended court with her mother two times this past summer. "Mr. Webber and Shick were mean to my mom in court but she didn't cry or get mad," she said. "After the first time at court I felt so bad that I began to cry after we got in the car. My mom stopped the car and said, Hailey, save it for when somebody dies or something. We both began laughing, and then we got ice-cream," Hailey smiled. "My sister Kaela is very pretty and nice and I love and miss her and my brother very much," she continued, "Merry Christmas and God Bless."

Illinois Mother Adds Supreme Court Justices to Federal Racial Segregation Civil Rights Complaint

To: National Desk -- Contact: Amy J. Schneider, 309-452-7466

U.S. Newswire/ -- On April 20, 2005 the Illinois Supreme Court removed alleged racist judge, Albert (A.G.) Webber, from an Illinois woman's case involving the segregation of her family based on race. Amy Schneider, a mother of five, has spent over three years in Macon County's probate court trying to regain possession of her two oldest children, Kaela Elizabeth Sliney-Schneider and Joshua Matthew Sliney- Schneider, both Caucasian.

According to a September 6, 2005 news release, Republican Supreme Court Justice Robert R. Thomas was installed as the new Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court. Justice Thomas was sworn in as Chief by Justice Charles E. Freeman, the most senior member of the Court, following a posh reception and dinner at the Itasca Country Club near Wheaton Illinois.

"It's serious that after the Republicans took over, in a bizarre twist Judge Webber was immediately reinstated to my case," says Schneider. "It has become a sad joke where constitutional justice takes a back seat to politics, money and racism."

According to court records, Schneider filed her civil rights complaint, number 05-2174, in United States District Court at Urbana on August 25, 2005, which is currently pending. Webber and two other Macon County judges are already defendants in that federal case.

"I have amended my complaint and will ask that Justices Robert Thomas, Rita Garman, Sue Myerscough and Judge Mitchell Shick be added as Defendants," said Schneider. "As a last resort, I will petition the federal court for emergency injunctive relief to revive my parental rights."

Schneider lives in Normal, Illinois with her three younger Black children. Court records show that non-parent Karen Coates, San Angelo Texas, has paid Decatur Illinois lawyers over $250,000 in the case. The State Court docket sheet shows Defendant Webber is repeatedly blocking Schneider's parental petitions and that notice has been given to Justices Thomas, Garman, Myerscough and Judge Shick.

"The constitutional due process violations are simple and clear; and through plain criminal duplicity brothers and sisters remain separated by race," says Schneider. "So far the Illinois Supreme Court officials have responded by hiding in their high offices and refusing to deal with Albert Webber, or telling me as a fit parent that I am wrong and why," Schneider said. Our Court system in Illinois needs an enema, Schneider quips.

August 30, 2005

Illinois Mother Files Racial Segregation Complaint in Federal Court Seeking Twenty-Five Million Dollars

To: National Desk

Contact: Amy J. Schneider, 309-452-7466

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. Aug. 29 /U.S. Newswire/ -- An Illinois woman has filed a lawsuit in Federal Court naming three Macon County Illinois court officials as defendants. Amy Schneider, a mother of five, has spent three years in Macon County's probate court trying to regain possession or guardianship of her two oldest children, Kaela Elizabeth Sliney-Schneider and Joshua Matthew Sliney- Schneider, both Caucasian.

According to court records, on August 25, Schneider filed a civil rights complaint in United States District Court at Urbana seeking declaratory judgments and compensation of twenty-five million dollars. Schneider's complaint claims the defendants "willfully participated in a conspiracy to deprive Plaintiff (Schneider) of her equal due process" and "intentionally violated the laws of the state of Illinois as well as Federal law."

Schneider's 49-page complaint names three Ill. Judges, John K. Greanias, Albert G. Webber IV, and Scott B. Diamond, as Defendants, along with Daniel P. Coates, Benito DiTerlizzi, Andrew D. Bourey, Bridget C. Hogan, James T. Jackson, Karen M. Coates and Kurt B. Bickes.

Schneider lives in Normal, Ill. with her three younger black children. "These defendants flagrantly violated my protections guaranteed by explicit law (Sub Section 755 ILCS 5/11-5(b)) and my children are not allowed to see their own siblings, their closest relatives," Schneider said. "My children are watching me and what I do; in fact, my sixth grader attended court with me this summer. She wanted to see exactly why she couldn't be with her brother and sister in their home."

Schneider said she is still fighting in the Macon County, Ill. probate court where she has had little success because of what she says is systematic corruption. "For three years I have not been allowed to enter evidence, bring a single witness in court or cross- examine a single party, and none of the moving parties have attended a single hearing. The court held numerous evidentiary hearings, they have prevailed percent 100 and continue holding my two children in a statutorily void guardianship," said Schneider. "On February 2, 2005, the defendants created a de facto adoption and literally sold my two children to hostile non-parents and several defendants were paid over $250,000 of my minor children's money."

On April 20, Ill. Fifth Circuit Judge Mitchell K. Shick was assigned to replace A.G. Webber IV. No further hearings have been scheduled in the case.

http://www.usnewswire.com/

August 16, 2005

Illinois Supreme Court Removes Alleged Racist Judge While Brothers and Sisters Still Remain Segregated by Race

To: National Desk

Contact: Amy J. Schneider, 309-452-7466

NORMAL, Ill., Aug. 16 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The Illinois Supreme Court has removed Decatur Illinois Probate Judge Albert (A.G.) Webber IV from an Illinois woman's case. Amy Schneider, a mother of five has been in court trying to regain possession of her two oldest children, Kaela Elizabeth Sliney-Schneider and Joshua Matthew Sliney-Schneider, both Caucasian.

According to an order issued April 20, 2005, by the Illinois Supreme Court, Charleston, Illinois (Coles County) Fifth Circuit Judge Mitchell K. Shick, a Republican, was assigned to replace Webber in the case. "It's like something you see on TV; Judge Webber operates outside the law, specifically 755 ILCS 5/11- 5(b)," says Schneider, "and after Webber is removed his Republican colleagues make sure I am deprived of any access to the court and remain unlawfully stripped of my constitutionally protected rights to a parent child relationship."

Schneider, who lives in Normal, Illinois with her three younger Black children, has previously filed a complaint with the Judicial Review Board accusing Webber of segregation and racism. "I was not complaining about Judge Webber's decisions, per se, I was complaining about Judge Webber denying me, a fit parent, due process as required by the constitution," said Schneider.

"Webber went so far as to fabricate derogatory medical and domestic accusations against me to forcibly keep my children with hostile non-parents so I can't see them at all. However, the sworn testimonies of a valid Illinois medical doctor and two Normal Illinois Police officers directly dispute Webber's accusations," said Schneider.

"Webber is not only crooked, but he is a malevolent crook," Schneider said. "Court records will prove Webber used his elected state office to circumvent the law, line the pockets of his friends with my children's money, and manifested racial bigotry to punish me and my young Black children while the Illinois supervising Courts had simply looked the other way," Schneider claims.

"My two children had never been to San Angelo, Texas when they were abducted by Karen M. Coates without permission or the knowledge of any court on August 28, 2002," Schneider said. "Webber and his Illinois Republican Party friends have closed ranks, and this is nothing more than two children being for sale, purchased and delivered by the Macon County Decatur, Illinois Court for about $250,000.00."

An August 22, 2005 hearing has been set in the case.

How Much Are Your Kids Worth?

Decatur Illinois Attorneys Paid Over $211,000.00

to Keep Mother’s Children with Non-Parents

NORMAL, Ill., Feb. 21 / According to an affidavit filed with the Court on Friday, 02/18/05, two Decatur Illinois law firms have been paid over $211,000.00 in a bitter guardianship dispute between a mother and her sister. 

             “If you take somebody’s children you should expect a fight,” says Schneider, a 38 year-old mother of five who lives in Normal Illinois with three of her five children. Schneider has been in court trying to regain custody of her two oldest children, Kaela Elizabeth Sliney-Schneider and Joshua Matthew Sliney-Schneider, both Caucasian. Schneider’s three other children are Black. 

            Dan and Karen Coates are Schneider’s brother-in-law and sister.  Schneider says her two children are in the San Angelo, Texas home of the Coates’ under what has thus far been an impenetrable Illinois court order issued by Probate Judge Albert G. Webber IV. Schneider, who is representing herself, has had little success in appeals to the Illinois Fourth District Appellate Court and Illinois Supreme Court.  

            Benito DiTerlizzi, former guardian in the case, says that over $211,000.00 has been spent on legal fees.A sworn affidavit signed by DiTerlizzi states the money [spent on attorneys representing him and six other parties] was taken from a trust fund set up in the minor children’s names.  

            “They stole this woman’s children, and now they’re stealing the children’s money,” said Linda Weston of Illinois Parents Fighting for Parental Rights. “I’ve heard of parents spending that much money to get their children, but I’ve never heard of someone spending that much money to keep a mother away from her children.”

            According to court files a hearing is set for March 3rd @ 1:30pm.  On February 7th Coates’ attorney Kurt Bickes filed “Direct Criminal Contempt” charges against Schneider. Coates’ are asking the Court to “Impose a fine upon [Schneider] in a sum no less than $25,000.00 and Incarcerate Schneider for a period of no less than six (6) months.”

            “Paying politicians is nothing new—but this is ridiculous! Schneider said. Over $211,000.00 just given to lawyers—what a waste,”  “Records show the Coates’ have paid and directed both law firms with this money, said Schneider. If they really care let them spend their own money, and give the kids their money back..

Mother Serves Illinois Judge with Notice to Appear in Court

NORMAL, Ill., Jan. 31 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The mother of two children involved in a guardianship case in Macon County Court in Decatur, Ill. has filed a verified petition and served a Notice for Judge Albert G. Webber IV to appear and testify under oath at a Feb. 2, 1 p.m. Substitution of Judge hearing.

Mother of five Amy Joan Schneider has been in court trying to regain possession of her two oldest children, Kaela Elizabeth Sliney-Schneider and Joshua Matthew Sliney-Schneider, both Caucasian. Schneider lives in Normal, Ill. and has three younger children who are black.

According to Schneider's petition filed Jan. 13, "Judge Webber exceeds the Probate Court's authority and discretion in order to keep the Mother's two children with the non-parent non-guardians who are paying Judge Webber's friends, business associates and campaign contributors."

Schneider previously filed a complaint against Webber with the Judicial Inquiry Board in part because "the Mother's family continues to be segregated (black from white) based on race and the personal bigotry of this jurist." "I can read and I know my rights as a parent in Illinois," Schneider says. "I'm White; experiencing racism is incredible."

Schneider said, "An openly biased Judge Albert Webber maintains the status quo through deceptive means. The only way I can prove my petition is to have Judge Webber take an oath and testify."

Schneider, who is representing herself, has had little success in appealing previous decisions against her to higher levels of the Illinois court system. "Judge Webber won't let me bring my witnesses or put sworn testimony in the record. With no record, the appellate Courts have nothing to review," Schneider claims.

In Webber's order entered June 15, 2004, finding Schneider a threat and is forced to send only her two Caucasian children to a non-parent non-guardian in San Angelo, Texas for their safety, Webber wrote, "An order of this Court and the intervention of the Normal, Illinois police effected their return three days later."

Sworn testimonies of two police officers contradict Webber's finding. Normal Police Sgt. Jeffery Longfellow testified, "...it was a situation where there was bad weather, the flight got cancelled..."

"The State of Illinois must release my two children immediately or explain why. I will continue to fight and do whatever it takes to reunite my family," Schneider declares.

Mother Files Complaint Against Illinois Judge Albert G. Webber IV

NORMAL, Ill., /U.S. Newswire -- January 1, 2005

The mother of two children involved in a guardianship case in the Macon County courts has filed a complaint against the judge handling the case, charging him with misconduct and racial bias.

Amy Joan Schneider of Normal, is asking the state's Judicial Inquiry Board to investigate Albert G. Webber IV of the Sixth Judicial Circuit. Schneider has been in court trying to regain possession of her two oldest children, Kaela Elizabeth Sliney-Schneider and Joshua Matthew Sliney-Schneider, both Caucasian.

"I want my children to be returned to their family," Schneider says. "This judge is segregating inside the family. He'll let me have my Black children, but he won't let me see my White children."

According to the document filed 12/29/04 with the Judicial Inquiry Board, "Probate Judge Albert G. Webber IV has established a clear and consistent pattern of bias and discrimination based on race and ethnicity." Schneider's three younger children are African Americans who live with their Mother in Normal. Schneider owns her home and has run her child photography business for the past 13 years. Schneider attends Epiphany Catholic Church in Normal and sends her two Black children to its grade school.

Schneider filed the complaint in part because Webber in June 2004 found that if the mother had contact with her two older children it "would endanger seriously their physical and emotional health," yet made no effort to protect or have Illinois child protection officials investigate the safety of the three younger Black children.

Following Webber's order of June 2004, Schneider submitted a report from a licensed medical doctor of Psychiatry that determined she "was not unfit to parent her children." Nevertheless, she still is not allowed to even have contact with her older children, who are currently with a relative in San Angelo, Texas.

In the inquiry board complaint, Schneider also claims that Judge Webber intentionally falsified the record in court proceedings on August 9, 2004, and September 2, 2004.

"His actions have affected my ability to get a full and fair review," Schneider says. She has had little success in appealing previous decisions against her to higher levels of the Illinois court system.

"My ten and six year old children are the unfortunate victims of this 'Jim Crow' style racial segregation; my fight for my children will continue," Schneider declares.