By: Ted Dabrowski and John Klingner
One thing Chicagoans can’t help but notice when scrolling through news feeds: the number of violent crimes committed by defendants while they were out either on parole, probation or awaiting trial.
That’s not surprising given the long-term decarceration trend in Cook County that’s left the county’s jail population at the lowest level in 40 years. Cook County Chief Judge Tim Evans started a no bail/low cash bail policy in 2017, resulting in a growing number of pretrial defendants out on bond who are then charged with new crimes, as we reported here. The state’s new SAFE-T Act has taken that policy even further. In September 2023, Illinois became the first state in the country to eliminate cash bail altogether, while the law also reduced the types of crimes for which defendants could be detained before their trial.
The big question in 2024 is how will the SAFE-T Act impact crime, everything else equal. It’s still far too early to determine whether there are more violent defendants out on the streets awaiting trial and, unfortunately, the government is far behind on releasing the relevant data on that, according to a recent BGA report.
Nevertheless, Chicagoans have a right to be concerned considering just how many stories there are of released defendants committing mayhem. Many make the news every day, but it’s hard to know just how prevalent they are among the sea of other crimes committed.
That’s why we’ve compiled a short sample list of defendants – those on parole, probation or awaiting trial – who’ve been accused of committing violent crimes since the start of the new year. Our source is CWB Chicago, which does a great job of tracking and publishing the city’s daily crimes.
- January 2 – A 21-year-old man shot another man in the face while on bail for one gun case and on probation for another. According to CWB, he was the “30th person accused of shooting, killing, or trying to shoot or kill someone in Chicago in 2023 while awaiting trial for a felony.”
- January 7 – A 31-year-old man and former CVS employee robbed a CVS while on probation for robbing and burglarizing a CVS.
- January 14 – A 19-year-old gang member shot and critically injured another man in Little Village just three months after getting probation for head-butting a Chicago cop. Prosecutors also dropped a felony gun case on the day he pleaded guilty to the battery.
- January 18 – A 19-year-old man killed his girlfriend while on probation for a gun charge.
- January 27 – An 18-year-old man with gang ties gunned down an airport employee while on juvenile probation for gun possession.
- February 4 – A 56-year-old man killed ex-girlfriend while on parole for strangling his previous partner.
- February 6 – A 32-year-old man and previous 8-time felon burglarized a restaurant while on probation for burglarizing a nail salon.
- February 6 – A 16-year-old male allegedly stabbed and killed a man while on parole for attempted murder. Earlier, he was found in possession of a stolen motor vehicle while on that same parole. That case was dropped.
- February 7 – A 20 year-old man was charged with ‘brutal attack’ of a woman at Chicago Union Station after being released on similar charges under cashless bail law.
- February 12 – A 33-year-old tow truck driver with two counts of attempted murder after he opened fire on two competitors over a job, while on felony pretrial release.
- February 13 – A 19-year-old man was caught carrying three guns on CTA less than a month after being placed on “first-time weapon offender probation” for another felony gun case.
- February 14 – An 18-year-old man killed an Uber driver while on juvenile probation for robbery. He also previously served time in the juvenile justice center for carjacking in 2021.
Commit a crime. Get released, either before or after your trial. Commit more crime “while on” release from previous crime. Repeat.
**************
Some are expressing hope in the latest crime numbers for 2024 (through early-February), which show major crimes down 18% and murders down 30%. But with just a little over a month behind us, it’s premature to make any conclusions given the city is coming off of post-covid record-high crime numbers.
Major crimes in 2023 were up over by 16% over 2022 and by 55% over 2019, before covid and the George Floyd.
As mentioned above, we’re going to have to wait for new data to reach any conclusions.
But from the data we do know since the SAFE-T Act was passed – the Cook County jail population is down 15%, electronic monitoring is down 10%, and detention appeals have skyrocketed – proponents of softer crime policies are getting what they want.
And, it appears, Chicago’s criminal class is getting what they want, too.
Read more from Wirepoints:
- Jail populations shrink, electronic monitoring drops and appeals opposing detention orders ‘skyrocket’: Three concerns about impact of Illinois’ no-cash bail law
- Chicago led nation in homicides for 12th year in a row in 2023, murder rate still 5 times higher than NYC’s
- Criminals robbing with impunity: Time to care about who replaces Cook County prosecutor Kim Foxx
Expect no retraction or apology. This what they do.
The state’s existing buyout program for its own pensions is the precedent for Chicago, which should be a warning: Look out for similar exaggerated claims and shoddy analysis.
My son who is 27 who has severe mental illness and substance abuse problems has been released from jail and keeps committing more crimes . He has been in and out of jail for yrs . He was court ordered to rehab but was either kicked out or left with no consequences. He needs mandatory inpatient treatment for both addiction and mental health reasons. He is homeless and has been hit by a car and beaten up and attacked with a box cutter leaving severe to the bone lacerations and he also suffers from severe depression, psychosis and anxiety which… Read more »
Denise, I am so sorry that you and your son are dealing with this.
Too often, we fail to understand the very real consequences of policy choices for real people.
My heart goes out to you.
A downvote? Really, what is wrong with some people?
Denise, so sorry to hear that. It does seem to me to be a lapse in mental health care, which is perhaps why many areas resort to 708 panels — a whole new taxing jurisdiction for mental health. I will be writing here on that soon.
Ever listen to a police scanner at night. Every so often they announce all the calls that have not been responded to. Those crimes are not in the statistics so the real rate is actually higher.
Another tactic is under reporting crime. Purse gets stolen at a bar, officer – “did you see someone steal it?”, victim – “no it was on my chair though and now it’s gone” officer – “well let’s write it up as a lost purse”
Chicago is dead. Illinois is dying. Like New York. And yes, they got what they voted for.
Rampant Crime is the objective. Why can’t you print that?
Chicago’s getting what it votes for, so what’s the problem?
Its the democrats its the marxists its the WEF its the Globalists. LISTEN PEOPLE THOSE ARE ALL STRAWMEN FOR THE REAL CULPRIT. ITS THE ONES WHO KILLED JESUS!!!
“Some are expressing hope in the latest crime numbers for 2024 (through early-February), which show major crimes down 18% and murders down 30%. “
NO, NO, NO!!! When they refuse to PROSECUTE, that skews the stats downwards!!!
Ignore all crime stats in the present times
Every day it’s the same “you should be scared and there’s nothing you can do” defeatist BS. Nobody is falling for the uniparty garbage anymore. I’ve spent the last few years preparing for this fight and I’m going to win. We’re going to stop this mess. Chicago Rally Monday, February 19, 2024 at 10:00 AM New Life Family Center Church in Chicago, IL Springfield Rally Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 10:00 AM State Capitol Rotunda in Springfield, IL Moline Rally Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 05:00 PM Faith Evangelical Free Church in Moline, Il Rockford Rally Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 09:00 AM… Read more »
See Death Wish – Charles Bronson “Dr. Paul Kersey”. Did you see him hand out the brochures? Only way you win the fight is for normal people to defend themselves. Staying in Chicago means being armed, locked and loaded at all times. Shotguns in the trunk also ready will be helpful. This is the answer. A proper offense begins with a sound defense. This is what happens when you neuter the police, the judges are far left, and state’s attorney is a pathetic moron racist who hates honkeys. I forgot the last 3 mayors also did the same damn thing.… Read more »
Real crimes committed by real, violent criminals are of no concern to the democrats who control the state. The real problem is all those non criminal, never arrested, firearm owning white supremisists who legally purchased firearms 20 yrs ago. Don’t believe me? Just ask a democrat.
Yes, you understand. You the deplorable gun owner are a threat to ‘our’ Democracy. But the criminal and his family votes Democrat.
as a former downstate IL citizen, it isn’t the “state”, it is Chicago.
There’s no help coming from TPTB. That’s why you don’t leave home without it.
Agreed – we’re the “little people”. Of no consequence to the elite. And the liberals like us don’t even realize they are in the same boat!
Pritzker, Lil Kim, Toni, Lori, Judge Tim and Brando are all anti police and anti law and order. They have blood on their hands. They don’t care about you. In fact, they despise you. Never forget it.
Agreed – we’re the “little people”. Of no consequence to the elite. And the liberals like us don’t even realize they are in the same boat!
Until this crime starts impacting upper middle and upper class liberals don’t expect any changes. Once it does impact them expect draconian changes.
I’m doubtful this will even be enough. During the late 1960’s through the early 1990’s, the upper middle classes – mostly Republican voting – put up with exorbitant amounts of crime, crime rates that are far higher than today, before finally passing their tough on crime, and three-strikes laws, and mandatory minimums, topped off by Hillary Clinton’s Super-Predator speech in 1996, describe kids who grow up in the ghetto and have no conscience. Today’s upper middle class and upper class are far more liberal than the upper classes of the 90’s, and have just accepted a higher base level of… Read more »
It’s all about being conditioned. The latest SNOW STORM, a dusting, was cause for alarm and calling out the National Guard re the fear mongering weather forecasters and caused by global warming. Ditto the “crime is down” mantra. Get used to it. It’s okay. That’s just the way it is. Turn off your brain. Hail Big Brother!
The progressive mentality is in reality a Marxist mentality. No fixing ideology and beliefs overnight. Agree with you.
The revolving door of Chicago crime continues. Good ol Tim “ let them all go”
Evens joins the “ usual gang of idiots “.
The list lead by Pritzker continues to get
Longer as more villages loose their idiots.
Chicago government runs like a fine Swiss
Watch, it’s fun watching this sh.. show,
Don’t forget the popcorn.
Not going to be fun when all hell breaks loose for those that either had to stay or chose to stay. I keep reminding myself that this is who they chose for mayor and why should anyone be surprised of the outcome?
Tim Evans is more proof that black people are the most racist people on the planet. He thinks every black criminal is a victim, even when they prey on real black victims. He is no different than the mayor of Chicago, or Atlanta, Detroit, or any other urban hole. It reminds me of the OJ jurors: so what if he killed a white woman, the tribe matters above all else.
“ Does it really matter?” Hilary Clinton.