Disturbing Report from Sheriff Dart About Electronic Monitoring
Vaccine Clinic this Saturday
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Dear Neighbors,
We've been informing you about problems and potential strategies for public safety, including
- What we can do as neighbors to protect ourselves and take back our streets
- How we can advocate for change as neighbors with our elected representatives
- What specific policies we are advocating to change
This week, we'd like to review a major change to the way violent defendants are handled before their trials - electronic monitoring. Based on what we know thus far, this system has a high risk of danger to public safety based on lack of transparency of the system, inadequate monitoring, and subsequent serious crimes by some offenders.
Background
Since 2017, Cook County bail reforms have resulted in much greater use of electronic monitoring, a GPS-tracked ankle monitor used in lieu of jail custody for defendants awaiting trial. Prior to 2017, electronic monitoring (EM or home confinement) had been used for non-violent drug offenders. But for the last four years, Cook County Judges have ordered EM for many more alleged offenders charged with violent offenses. These offenses shockingly included gun offenses, attempted murder, and even murder.
According to a presentation by Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart earlier this week, there are about 2600 people on EM, the most in the United States. 75 - 80% of those individuals are charged with violent crimes. Felony gun offenders are just under 50% of the people on EM. This means that there are just under 1300 people who are on EM who:
- have been arrested with a gun (Felon in possession of a firearm) after their prior felony conviction, or
- have used a weapon in a crime such as armed robbery (Aggravated unlawful use of a weapon). Just under 100 of these people are awaiting trial for murder. Over 250 are charged with being armed habitual criminals.
There have also been concerns expressed about a separate EM program operated by the Cook County Pretrial Service's Division out of the Chief Judge's office. In this program, the defendants are only monitored from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. According to a report issued by the Appleseed Foundation, there is “no public information available about the number of people that the Pretrial Service’s Division’s electronic monitoring program monitors, how restricted their movements are, what they are charged with, how placement is decided, or any other basic information,” The report continues, saying; “This complete lack of transparency makes it impossible to analyze that program in any detail."
Under a law passed last session in Springfield,
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the Sheriff is now required to give people on EM free movement twice a week 8-10 hours a day. Before that, about 400 people were allowed movement in specified boundaries (for example, to go to school or work) based on a court order.
- the Sheriff cannot charge someone for being AWOL from EM until they are missing for 48 hours
Questions Remain That Need Answers
How many defendants are missing from EM?
Unfortunately, the meeting did not address the number of defendants who are "missing” from EM by cutting off the ankle bracelets, or who were not located for significant periods of time. A 2019 news report stated that 300 defendants were missing, some for more than ten years, but others much more recently. This data is key to understanding the effectiveness of the program.
Are defendants committing further crimes while out on EM?
Another major issue is whether persons on electronic monitoring are committing crimes while out on EM. Mayor Lightfoot stated in a news conference in January that 133 people have been arrested for violent crimes while on electronic monitoring in 2021. Sheriff Dart stated that the largest category of offenses that people on EM commit are domestic crimes. It is very troubling that a system designed to give some freedom to a person accused of crime may put more women in danger of abuse.
The Cook County Public Defender’s Office has responded that people re-arrested while on EM represent only a tiny percentage of people arrested in general. Unfortunately, the vast majority of crimes do NOT result in an arrest. This means that unknown offenders are committing the vast majority of crimes.
Based on statistics made available, many if not most, of these crimes are being committed by repeat offenders. According to a detailed study by Loyola University, "more than 80% of those arrested in Cook County for a gun crime between SFY 2009 and 2019 had at least one prior arrest, regardless of the type of gun crime."
What Needs to Happen Now
The current system of EM is unfair to the citizens of Cook County and the victims of crime. Changes needed to be made include:
- Consolidation of all the programs so that the same standards apply
- Greater transparency of the outcomes and status of people on EM
- Greater limitations on the use of EM to be consistent with best practices in the United States. These should reflect the best balance between ensuring that defendants report to court AND that the public is protected from danger.
- Reversal of the AWOL rules to give law enforcement the flexibility they need to locate and arrest dangerous offenders
We will be working with our State Representatives and Cook County Commissioners to advocate to make these necessary changes, either through administrative decisions or legislation. We will report back with further recommendations very soon.
Right now, we hope you will join us in demanding change in this program by communicating with your State and County legislators. Information on our postcard program is located below. We hope you'll find one at a location near you and demand change from the States Attorney, Chief Judge, and the Mayor.
You can watch the Straight Talk with Sheriff Tom Dart which is only a 45-minute program here. Thanks to State Senator Sara Feigenholtz for organizing the informative event! Coverage of the forum was on CBS. For more details about how EM works, see this earlier report from NBC.
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Upcoming Public Hearing About Criminal Justice in Cook County
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
10:00 a.m.
Thanks to our Cook County Commissioners, on January 19, 2022 at 10:00 a.m the Cook County Board will be conducting a hearing with the Cook County Sheriff’s office, the Cook County States’ Attorneys’ office, the Chief Judge’s office, the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court, the Justice Advisory Council, Emergency Management and Regional Security, Cook County Department of Public Health, Cook County Health and the Public Defender’s office to discuss their respective and collaborative efforts to address the rise in gun related violence and overall crime, including carjacking. The Board will discuss how they may best partner with other levels of government to collaboratively combat the violence which is permeating throughout our communities.
I will be testifying at the hearing, and have been working with our Commissioners Bill Lowry (3rd), Bridget Degnan (12th), and Bridget Gainer (10th) to make sure our constituents' questions are answered in this very important hearing.
You can watch the hearing here. I have introduced a similar resolution in October, but thus far, the County agencies have not agreed to appear at a City Hall hearing.
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More Public Safety Updates |
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Write to Our Public Officials
Pick Up Some Postcards!
Every citizen and public official needs to work together to stop crime. While CPD does great work, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s office and Cook County Circuit Court Chief Judge Timothy Evans need to increase their efforts to hold criminals accountable.
All of our neighborhood organizations are joining together with our office to mount a postcard writing campaign to seek accountability. You can pick up postcards now at:
- 43rd Ward Office, 2523 N Halsted
- Old Town Triangle Association Office, 1763 N. North Park
- Corcoran's Grill & Pub, 1615 N Wells Street
- Starbucks, 210 W North Avenue
- Milito's Gas Station, 1108 W Fullerton
- Lakeshore Sport and Fitness, 1320 W Fullerton
- Starbucks, 1001 W Armitage
- Armitage Direct, 925 W Armitage Avenue (entrance on Bissell)
Postcards are pre-addressed. Please write about your personal experience with crime and why the city needs the support of our State's Attorney and judicial system with appropriate prosecutions, sentences, and bail. Click here for sample postcard language, and more information about the campaign.
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Hospitality Industry, 43rd Ward and St. Pauls Church
Vaccination Clinic
Everyone 5+, plus Boosters
Saturday, January 15th, 2022
11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
St. Pauls United Church of Christ
2335 N. Orchard St.
We are so glad that the Hospitality Business Association of Chicago is joining the 43rd Ward Office, St. Pauls Church, Lighthouse UCC and Instavaxx to host a vaccination clinic for all ages 5 and up, including boosters for people ages 12 + this Saturday, January 15th, 2022.
This clinic will be hosted in the gym at the church. REGISTER HERE.
Please review all materials before your appointment.
- Please review this Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccination Fact Sheet for Ages 5–11 prior to your appointment.
- Please arrive at your appointment 15 minutes early in order to complete the necessary paperwork. (See Required Forms below.)
- One parent/guardian must be present during vaccination.
- Parents/guardians must bring their own photo ID and, if available, a health insurance card.
- Parents/guardians may register more than one child using the sign-up links, but each child will need their own appointment.
Arrive at your appointment early to complete these forms or fill them out in advance and bring them with you:
Note: An individual is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose.
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Get Tested
There are many testing locations in the neighborhood at pharmacies and immediate care locations in addition to those provided if you have a regular doctor.
Here are some close by:
MedStar: 2444 N Clark St., Walk-ins only. Open Mon-Sat 9 am -7 pm
Ally Health: 2246 N Clark St. Walk-Ins only. Open Mon-Sat 10 am - 6 pm
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43rd Ward Office Closure for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
43rd Ward Office Reopening
In observance of MLK Day, the 43rd Ward virtual and physical office will be closed on Monday, January 17th, 2022. We will return to the office on Tuesday, January 18th, 2022 at 9 a.m. We will be open from 9:00-5:00 each day.
Distribution of KN95 Masks
You have read that each ward office has received 20,000 KN 95 Masks. We will be distributing these masks as follows:
We are distributing masks to organizations that operate and provide services to the poor in our ward, including Little Sisters of the Poor, Lincoln Park Community Services, Thresholds, Clayton House, Night Ministry and others. We are also distributing three masks for each of senior residents in our five apartment buildings owned by the Chicago Housing Authority buildings
The remaining masks are available at our office during regular office hours from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. We will be distributing 5 per adult in a household, as long as supplies last. Please be aware that only one person at a time is admitted to the ward office and that masks are required.
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Here's How to Buy Your Guest Parking Passes Online
As a result of the surge of COVID cases in our ward, the 43rd Ward Office will be working remotely from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
In the new year, new parking passes are required. Please get yours at ezbuy.chicityclerk.com. You can learn how to order online by using our Guest Parking Passes 101 guide or watch our video for step-by-step details on how to purchase your passes or stickers online. If you need extra assistance, please call us at 773-348-9500 or email us at yourvoice@ward43.org, and someone from the office will call you back.
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Buying Passes at City Hall
You can buy passes in person at any of the Chicago City Clerk offices including City Hall and its Northside Office at 5340 W. Gale Street, which are now open from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Please plan for increased wait times due to social distancing protocols. Increased safety measures have been put in place to mitigate the exposure of COVID-19. Make sure you have the list of required documents before you go in person. |
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Support Local Restaurants |
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Working together, we can make our community safe - from crime - and from COVID. Get vaccinated this Saturday! |
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