People v. Beardsley

Following a jury trial in the circuit court of McHenry County, the defendant, Robert Beardsley, was found guilty of the offenses of speeding (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1983, ch. 95½, par. 11—601(b)) and eavesdropping (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1983, ch. 38, par. 14—2(a)). The defendant was fined $75 for speeding, $500 for eavesdropping, and sentenced to 12 months’ probation with 10 hours of public service. The appellate court affirmed (139 Ill. App. 3d 819), and we allowed the defendant’s petition for leave to appeal (103 Ill. 2d R. 315). Only the eavesdropping conviction is involved in this appeal.

On January 7,…