In response to the recent murder and critical injury of two Chicago Police Officers, State Representative Jeff Keicher is sponsoring House Bill 5757.
This legislation makes a commonsense amendment to the Pre-Trial Fairness Act that requires that anyone arrested for a felony while on pretrial release and ankle monitoring be detained until the charges are resolved. Current law is permissive and allows for pretrial release to be revoked, but does not require it, potentially leading to violent offenders being let out again and again.
“I’m heartbroken for the family of Chicago Police Officer John Bartholomew — a 38-year-old, 10-year veteran of CPD and devoted husband and father — and praying for the full recovery of his partner, who remains in critical condition after the horrific shooting at Swedish Hospital,” said Keicher.
“This tragedy was preventable. The suspect, Alphanso Talley — a seven-time convicted felon with a violent history — was out on electronic monitoring for armed robbery and carjacking charges. His ankle monitor stopped reporting for days (he failed to charge it and went off grid), yet the system failed to act quickly. Warrants sat unserved while he remained free to commit more crimes.
“Letting violent repeat offenders roam free on electronic monitoring was never a good idea — and it’s making all Illinoisans less safe. That’s exactly why I’m proud to co-sponsor HB 5757, which will automatically revoke pretrial release in situations like this and keep repeat felons in custody when they violate monitoring or commit new crimes.
“Our communities, our families, and our neighborhoods deserve real public safety. Enough is enough. We must fix this broken system now.”
For more on House Bill 5757 – Click Here.