On the heels of the horrific murder of 18-year-old female Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman in Chicago, State Representative Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) joined three of his House Republican colleagues in addressing the tragedy and possible solutions for improving public safety at a Capitol news conference on Tuesday.
Sheridan’s murder took place late on March 19. The alleged gunman is a man who is purportedly in the country illegally and had a previous criminal record for shoplifting. Windhorst outlined several legislative measures he is sponsoring that he says would improve public safety.
“First and foremost, the state of Illinois must repeal the TRUST Act, a law that forbids local and state law enforcement officials from cooperating and communicating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to deport criminal illegal aliens upon their release from state custody,” Windhorst said. “I am a co-sponsor of HB 1317, legislation that would repeal the TRUST Act and allow state law enforcement officials to communicate with federal officials to ensure that criminal illegal aliens face deportation proceedings when they are released from jail.”
Windhorst also took aim at the controversial SAFE-T Act and its no-cash bail provisions that allow criminals to be released on pretrial detention (electronic monitoring or, in some cases, just a notice to appear in court). Windhorst explained three bills he is sponsoring that would close gaps in the law that allow criminals to walk free and reoffend while awaiting trial.
“HB 1479 provides for the revocation of pre-trial release when an offender violates the conditions of their pre-trial release. HB 1482 expands the detention net for pre-trial release to include all felonies and gives judges discretion in those cases where a person is deemed dangerous to the community. HB 1483 allows for a judge to issue a warrant for failure to comply with pre-trial release conditions,” Windhorst said. “I believe these are common-sense reforms that would greatly improve public safety in the state of Illinois.”
Windhorst emphasized that public safety must remain a top priority for Illinois lawmakers and called for swift consideration of these measures during the current legislative session.
