State Representative Jeff Keicher announced on Apr. 30 that he is sponsoring House Bill 5757, which aims to require the detention of individuals arrested for a felony while on pretrial release and electronic monitoring until their charges are resolved. The proposal comes after the recent murder and critical injury of two Chicago Police Officers.
The issue is considered important as current law allows, but does not mandate, revocation of pretrial release for such offenders. Supporters argue this gap may allow violent repeat offenders to be released multiple times.
Keicher said, “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.”
He continued, “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.”
Keicher added that letting violent repeat offenders remain free on electronic monitoring endangers public safety: “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.”
He concluded by saying: “Our communities, our families, and our neighborhoods deserve real public safety. Enough is enough. We must fix this broken system now.”
Keicher has served as a Republican member representing Illinois’ 70th House District since his election in 2018 according to Ballotpedia.
