Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
Probable Cause
(Court opinion corrected 7/27/11.) Defendant was arrested for soliciting unlawful business in violation of Chicago ordinance and possession of a controlled substance (heroin). Officer observed Defendant standing at intersection repeatedly yelling "blows" at passers-by, but did not see him hand anyone anything or take anything from anyone, or converse with passers-by. Officer testified that in his experience "blows" is a term used in street sale of heroin. Court could properly conclude that officer witnessed Defendant violate City Ordinance, in inferring that Defendant was soliciting sale of narcotics, and thus had probable cause to arrest him. (QUINN, concurring; STEELE, dissenting.)