Lane von Herzen: The Problem with Illinois

My Third Novel's Conclusion, My Heartbreak

My heart begins to break when I think about completing this particular book -- because this narrative has sustained me like no other story I've known. It's both more personal and more universal than my other works. But beyond memory and archetype, it's a cri-de-coeur about needing to become the person one is destined to be. And in the writing, I have met my own life's work, my own fated journey -- having the sense all the while that the pages are suffused with a resonance, an energy, an electrified field that defies explanation. Writers hope and pray to be overtaken by a work in this way -- to be conscripted into passionate service of a profound story. To experience it even once in a lifetime seems a great privilege. I still have several months before this novel is complete, and this constitutes my reprieve. Because I'm not ready for the beauty to end.

Friday, July 17, 2026

The Problem with Illinois

OIG Hotline, it appears as though I am now at extreme risk of AI falsification of all of my activities. Even walking through a hotel lobby renders me vulnerable to AI-generated video and audio depictions of events that never transpired -- and this, within a few hours.

In Illinois, it is a Class 4 felony to record others without their consent, so I cannot easily protect myself from false allegations with counter-documentation.

Meanwhile, FBI affiliates film and photograph me with abandon anytime I am in public, providing ready material for AI alterations.

While I was waiting for the provision of materials responsive to my FOIA request from the Illinois Attorney General's Office, it was worth it to me to struggle through the daily onslaught of stalking by the FBI and its affiliates.

Now that the Illinois Attorney General has failed to uphold Illinois' Freedom of Information Act, that hope has been squandered.

As a result, Illinois has suddenly become an exceptionally dangerous state for a human rights advocate like myself.

I am without adequate protection and defense from the FBI's knowingly falsified law enforcement reporting, and state authorities appear to be acquiescing to demands for yet more false allegations endangering my visit.

My current safety circumstances are completely unacceptable, in my opinion, and I have had no outreach from any state authorities today to convey that FOIA materials will in fact be provided in accordance with state standards and requirements.

Accordingly, it will be necessary for me to leave Illinois in the near future.

Until that time, I would ask for the discontinuation of any and all environmental harms within The Residence Inn, including environmental contamination, DEW deployments, power shut-off, fire alarm, wrongful law enforcement raid, and knowingly falsified witness statements, false location data, and falsified "evidence" of crimes of which I have no knowledge whatsoever.

People should not attempt to intercept me in the hotel hallway, the elevator, the parking lot or beside my car. Nor should FBI affiliates attempt to compromise my food or water supply in any setting.

No one should approach my dogs with a friendly hello while concealing an intent to file a statement that they are vicious or dangerous.

No one should be pursuing a "Code Red" against my two sons or daughter-in-law.

No one should be falsely accusing my husband in any context.

Thank you for allowing me to extend this update to your Office.

Most sincerely,