Found Deceased IL - Jelani 'JJ' Day, 25, ISU grad student, missed class, Bloomington, 23 Aug 2021

[MyJoey]

It might be one of those situations like at the bank or airport when they ask you to lower your mask for a second so that they can verify ID or have your facial image on security cameras.

Maybe but his mask is folded in half and totally off. The woman don’t seem to be looking at him to see if he’s looking up. Any ideas what the woman could be holding in her hands.

 

[Hope32]

Maybe but his mask is folded in half and totally off. The woman don’t seem to be looking at him to see if he’s looking up. Any ideas what the woman could be holding in her hands.

It's been talked about previously in the thread. That it is common that everyone is to look at the camera when entering a dispensary just as standard procedure.

Looking up regulations for the state (actually all states) it requires very specific security measures.

410 ILCS 705/ Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.

(410 ILCS 705/15-100)
Sec. 15-100. Security i

"(2) Unobstructed video surveillance of all enclosed dispensary areas, unless prohibited by law, including all points of entry and exit that shall be appropriate for the normal lighting conditions of the area under surveillance. The cameras shall be directed so all areas are captured, including, but not limited to, safes, vaults, sales areas, and areas where cannabis is stored, handled, dispensed, or destroyed. Cameras shall be angled to allow for facial recognition, the capture of clear and certain identification of any person entering or exiting the dispensary area and in lighting sufficient during all times of night or day;
(3) Unobstructed video surveillance of outside areas, the storefront, and the parking lot, that shall be appropriate for the normal lighting conditions of the area under surveillance. Cameras shall be angled so as to allow for the capture of facial recognition, clear and certain identification of any person entering or exiting the dispensary and the immediate surrounding area, and license plates of vehicles in the parking lot; ...."

 

[oviedo]

It's been talked about previously in the thread. That it is common that everyone is to look at the camera when entering a dispensary just as standard procedure.

Looking up regulations for the state (actually all states) it requires very specific security measures.

410 ILCS 705/ Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.

(410 ILCS 705/15-100)
Sec. 15-100. Security i

"(2) Unobstructed video surveillance of all enclosed dispensary areas, unless prohibited by law, including all points of entry and exit that shall be appropriate for the normal lighting conditions of the area under surveillance. The cameras shall be directed so all areas are captured, including, but not limited to, safes, vaults, sales areas, and areas where cannabis is stored, handled, dispensed, or destroyed. Cameras shall be angled to allow for facial recognition, the capture of clear and certain identification of any person entering or exiting the dispensary area and in lighting sufficient during all times of night or day;
(3) Unobstructed video surveillance of outside areas, the storefront, and the parking lot, that shall be appropriate for the normal lighting conditions of the area under surveillance. Cameras shall be angled so as to allow for the capture of facial recognition, clear and certain identification of any person entering or exiting the dispensary and the immediate surrounding area, and license plates of vehicles in the parking lot; ...."

thank you for this research.

Where can JJ be?

 

[LotusPawprint]

Maybe but his mask is folded in half and totally off. The woman don’t seem to be looking at him to see if he’s looking up. Any ideas what the woman could be holding in her hands.

It's an ID scanner.

(I think this model CAV-3200 )

I don't think the mask off and folded is strange at all. He could've taken it off and folded it or just holding it to see if the business was requiring mask wearing.

 

[MyJoey]

It's been talked about previously in the thread. That it is common that everyone is to look at the camera when entering a dispensary just as standard procedure.

Looking up regulations for the state (actually all states) it requires very specific security measures.

410 ILCS 705/ Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.

(410 ILCS 705/15-100)
Sec. 15-100. Security i

"(2) Unobstructed video surveillance of all enclosed dispensary areas, unless prohibited by law, including all points of entry and exit that shall be appropriate for the normal lighting conditions of the area under surveillance. The cameras shall be directed so all areas are captured, including, but not limited to, safes, vaults, sales areas, and areas where cannabis is stored, handled, dispensed, or destroyed. Cameras shall be angled to allow for facial recognition, the capture of clear and certain identification of any person entering or exiting the dispensary area and in lighting sufficient during all times of night or day;
(3) Unobstructed video surveillance of outside areas, the storefront, and the parking lot, that shall be appropriate for the normal lighting conditions of the area under surveillance. Cameras shall be angled so as to allow for the capture of facial recognition, clear and certain identification of any person entering or exiting the dispensary and the immediate surrounding area, and license plates of vehicles in the parking lot; ...."

Well there you go. Thank you, that explains it well.

 

[Hope32]

Well there you go. Thank you, that explains it well.

Yup. I was wandering about it as well. I figured it had to do with security and regulation, but it's good to have found it for myself as well.

 

[Razz]

It's been talked about previously in the thread. That it is common that everyone is to look at the camera when entering a dispensary just as standard procedure.

Looking up regulations for the state (actually all states) it requires very specific security measures.

410 ILCS 705/ Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.

(410 ILCS 705/15-100)
Sec. 15-100. Security i

"(2) Unobstructed video surveillance of all enclosed dispensary areas, unless prohibited by law, including all points of entry and exit that shall be appropriate for the normal lighting conditions of the area under surveillance. The cameras shall be directed so all areas are captured, including, but not limited to, safes, vaults, sales areas, and areas where cannabis is stored, handled, dispensed, or destroyed. Cameras shall be angled to allow for facial recognition, the capture of clear and certain identification of any person entering or exiting the dispensary area and in lighting sufficient during all times of night or day;
(3) Unobstructed video surveillance of outside areas, the storefront, and the parking lot, that shall be appropriate for the normal lighting conditions of the area under surveillance. Cameras shall be angled so as to allow for the capture of facial recognition, clear and certain identification of any person entering or exiting the dispensary and the immediate surrounding area, and license plates of vehicles in the parking lot; ...."

This would give me pause. I'd be afraid they'd keep my facial features so that they could come back and get me if they ever make the dispensaries illegal and, more importantly, they now have my face that has probably been uploaded to some LE database which will be used much like the familial dna. Yes, I lean a bit to the paranoid side but must say it has served me well.

 

[Deleted member 269000]

Wow. I haven’t been getting alerts on WS, so I might have missed a few posts, but has there been discussion of the body found in the Illinois River? I don’t see that there’s been an identification yet.

Search continues for missing ISU student Jelani Day. Efforts include examination of body found in Illinois River in LaSalle County.

 

[Hope32]

This would give me pause. I'd be afraid they'd keep my facial features so that they could come back and get me if they ever make the dispensaries illegal and, more importantly, they now have my face that has probably been uploaded to some LE database which will be used much like the familial dna. Yes, I lean a bit to the paranoid side but must say it has served me well.

The regulations also state it is only required to be kept for 90 days. I get people often feel super suspicious about them using it nefariously, but the same of LE using DNA when you upload your profile onto the websites you opt in or opt out to allowing LE access. I have read people who were missing their families had uploaded the DNA, but didn't check this box then reached out to DNA doe project and such and found out that was what happened and changed it and found a match. But it's fair to be suspicious I didn't delve into the specifics, but I would assume they would need warrants to access the cameras like they do often with other type of cameras.

 

[Hope32]

Wow. I haven’t been getting alerts on WS, so I might have missed a few posts, but has there been discussion of the body found in the Illinois River? I don’t see that there’s been an identification yet.

Search continues for missing ISU student Jelani Day. Efforts include examination of body found in Illinois River in LaSalle County.

Yup there has been discussion, but based on unverified sources at those times it was not JJ

 

[swanniee11]

I can't believe there is still no clues on this young man. I hope LE is going through phones/computers etc.

 

[Deleted member 269000]

Yup there has been discussion, but based on unverified sources at those times it was not JJ

Looks like there’s been some confusion. Every reference I found on social media claiming that the body has been positively excluded as being Jelani’s seems to stem from an incredibly inaccurate (and seemingly irresponsible) post from WMBD. They posted the following on their social media accounts:
Log into Facebook | Facebook

HOWEVER, if you click on the actual article cited to, it simply says that they’ve identified the body as male, and DNA identification could take weeks or months. The article says that the investigation into Jelani’s disappearance is separate from that into the identity of the body at this time, but that’s very much not the same as saying that the body definitively doesn’t belong to Jelani. The article is at the following URL:

Body found in Illinois River Saturday is male, LaSalle County Coroner announces | CIProud.com

“Coroner Richard Ploch said an autopsy on the body revealed the person was a male, although their identity has yet to be determined. He said it will take several weeks and possibly months to confirm the identity due to the body’s condition.

. . .

The incident will remain under investigation. Authorities also emphasized at this time, the case is separate from the search for Illinois State University graduate student Jelani Day.”

The above is simply my opinion in a personal capacity.

 

[LotusPawprint]

"The Butlers say he was turning out to be a a great community leader, and that he always wanted to help his community and hometown.

"That has been his goal, he liked working with young people. He liked working with people as a whole," said [EB].


A body was found in the Illinois River in Bloomington over the weekend, but the family has been told not to assume that it is Day's.



Family members speak out about missing Danville man

 

[Hope32]

Looks like there’s been some confusion. Every reference I found on social media claiming that the body has been positively excluded as being Jelani’s seems to stem from an incredibly inaccurate (and seemingly irresponsible) post from WMBD. They posted the following on their social media accounts:
Log into Facebook | Facebook

HOWEVER, if you click on the actual article cited to, it simply says that they’ve identified the body as male, and DNA identification could take weeks or months. The article says that the investigation into Jelani’s disappearance is separate from that into the identity of the body at this time, but that’s very much not the same as saying that the body definitively doesn’t belong to Jelani. The article is at the following URL:

Body found in Illinois River Saturday is male, LaSalle County Coroner announces | CIProud.com

“Coroner Richard Ploch said an autopsy on the body revealed the person was a male, although their identity has yet to be determined. He said it will take several weeks and possibly months to confirm the identity due to the body’s condition.

. . .

The incident will remain under investigation. Authorities also emphasized at this time, the case is separate from the search for Illinois State University graduate student Jelani Day.”

The above is simply my opinion in a personal capacity.

Your correct hence why I was saying it had been discussed previously. And that the sources were unverified (ie to me take it with a grain of salt).
Hopefully we have some updates on both and one family can have closure and we have JJ being home.

 

[swanniee11]

My heart breaks for his mom and family. I just can't imagine.

 

[scriabina]

My heart breaks for his mom and family. I just can't imagine.

Yes, it's a terribly sad case. He sounds like a wonderful man who would've made a great contribution to society.

The more time that passes, the more I think he was murdered. I would be shocked (but thrilled!) if he were found alive.

 

[swanniee11]

Yes, it's a terribly sad case. He sounds like a wonderful man who would've made a great contribution to society.

The more time that passes, the more I think he was murdered. I would be shocked (but thrilled!) if he were found alive.

Do you ( or anyone) think maybe going back to school was a bit much at this point in his life and he chose to take a break without telling anyone? We recently had a few cases where kids got overwhelmed. Some ended in complete sorrow. I tend to go back to the beginning situations and the car/hidden/tags etc still are on my mind. Not to mention he got that car from his late grandfather so I would think it is important to him as close as his family is. I really just don't know. As was posted above by @lawyer_sleuth and others, there still is confusion on the person that was already found and waiting on results. God, heartbreaking. IMO

 

[scriabina]

Do you ( or anyone) think maybe going back to school was a bit much at this point in his life and he chose to take a break without telling anyone?

I highly doubt it. Considering it was his grandfather's car and Jelani was close with his family, I don't see why he'd choose to abandon the car like that.

Is it possible he set it up deliberately so people would think he had been carjacked/killed? I suppose, but it doesn't sound in his character at all to do that. Sounds like he was really close with his family (at least his mom), and he hasn't had a history of running away or anything similar to this situation, so just leaving without a peep or by setting up a fake abduction/murder is improbable.

Also, speaking from my own experience in grad school, it usually doesn't start off super stressfully. There's ample time to freak/burn out later, but typically in the first few weeks of grad school, I'd say it's less stressful than undergrad. ISU's fall semester started on Aug 16, but this article says that "Aug 24th was his first day of graduate school." Whether it was his first day or 2nd week, I can't imagine him already getting academically overloaded in such a short timeframe. And I'm sure the meeting he had with his advisor was just a routine first meeting -- nothing negative.

Could he have been so stressed that he couldn't even bear to attend his first day of classes? Again, possibly, but my gut instinct says no. I think the majority of people are excited and optimistic on their first day of grad school. According to his family, Jelani had no history of mental illness. Could he have been hiding crippling anxiety? All the (albeit limited) info we have points to no. And from the surveillance footage, he looks put together, nicely dressed, and not like someone frozen with anxiety who was poised to run away from his life.

 

[OnMars]

Weed is way more expensive at dispensaries than it is on the street. There's no way he would buy overpriced weed at a store and then sell it.

Unless of course he's selling it to someone who is willing to pay a higher price. Someone planning to rob him, for example, wouldn't care about the price and would agree to pay anything. A person under 21 might be willing to pay higher prices because they cannot legally buy it themselves. Jelani is 25 and in college so people under 21 are common among his social circles. Other factors that cause people to pay higher prices include location, accessibility, and quality or potency of dispensary marijuana vs. black market. However, the most likely scenario is that he bought it for himself, and or, to smoke with people he considered friends.

 

[SimplyCass]

I highly doubt it. Considering it was his grandfather's car and Jelani was close with his family, I don't see why he'd choose to abandon the car like that.

Is it possible he set it up deliberately so people would think he had been carjacked/killed? I suppose, but it doesn't sound in his character at all to do that. Sounds like he was really close with his family (at least his mom), and he hasn't had a history of running away or anything similar to this situation, so just leaving without a peep or by setting up a fake abduction/murder is improbable.

Also, speaking from my own experience in grad school, it usually doesn't start off super stressfully. There's ample time to freak/burn out later, but typically in the first few weeks of grad school, I'd say it's less stressful than undergrad. ISU's fall semester started on Aug 16, but this article says that "Aug 24th was his first day of graduate school." Whether it was his first day or 2nd week, I can't imagine him already getting academically overloaded in such a short timeframe. And I'm sure the meeting he had with his advisor was just a routine first meeting -- nothing negative.

Could he have been so stressed that he couldn't even bear to attend his first day of classes? Again, possibly, but my gut instinct says no. I think the majority of people are excited and optimistic on their first day of grad school. According to his family, Jelani had no history of mental illness. Could he have been hiding crippling anxiety? All the (albeit limited) info we have points to no. And from the surveillance footage, he looks put together, nicely dressed, and not like someone frozen with anxiety who was poised to run away from his life.

That's something I keep pondering. JJ was seen on CCTV at the student center. He used his bank card to buy something, but didn't show for the meeting or call to let the advisor know he couldn't make it or to reschedule? Like, if he had overslept or was never there more generally, okay, that happens. But he was prepped/ready and present before taking off. Two hours later, he's seen on CCTV footage at the dispensary. Per LE, his cell phone hasn't pinged outside the dispensary area. What could/would have caused such an abrupt change of plans?