A new state Policy that allows convicted undocumented immigrant felons to be released back into the community is facing scrutiny from many lawmakers and the Illinois Sheriffs Association. 

Lawmakers received notifications from Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE whenever undocumented inmates that served time at an IDOC facility for felony convictions were being released. IDOC stopped the transfer of these inmates in January of 2020 releasing them into the public. State Representative Avery Bourne spoke at a press conference on Tuesday about the most recent change. 

Christian County Sheriff Bruce Kettelkamp announced at the press conference that 17 convicted felons were released in Christian County without law enforcement knowing. He also called it a very serious public safety issue. 

There were 223 undocumented felons that were transferred in 2019. Those individuals were composed of 36 individuals who had sexual offenses against minors, 11 individuals that were found guilty of murder or attempted murder, 19 individuals that were found guilty of predatory criminal sexual assault, 33 individuals that were found guilty of a criminal offense involving a weapon, 50 individuals that were guilty of drug offenses for something other than cannabis, and 55 that were found guilty of felony-level traffic offenses including aggravated DUI, a 4th DUI or a DUI resulting in death. 

Representative Bourne is encouraging everyone to call the Governor’s office and tell them to reverse this policy.

The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association urges Governor Pritzker to reconsider the policy as well and enable IDOC to coordinate with its partner in law enforcement and criminal justice.