Kane County Reporter

Friends for Freedom with Heather Brown has issued the following press release:

On August 15th, 2022, I was made aware by Township Committeemen that there was going to be a press conference on August 16th at 9:15am, for supporters who helped pass the “Pretrial Fairness Act”. This goes along with the “Safe-T Act” that was passed by the Democrats to begin, January 1st, 2023. Where Class B & C felons will receive no-cash bail. In speaking with judges and attorneys, if the States Attorney does not have paperwork filled out in time, even murderers will be let out of jail with no-cash bail, stating that the “criminal is no longer a threat to the victim”.

The press conference was held in front of the DuPage County Courthouse at the 505 building. No one that was in attendance was in the bond court as stated. State Representative Stava-Murray, (D-Downers Grove) spoke about criminals in bond court, “not being able to pay for $1,000 bail due to a job loss from a previous arrest”. As some people may not know, when a bond is set for a criminal, only 10% is due. The criminal “had just started a new job and had yet to receive his first paycheck” Murray continued, without knowing this individual or being their legal representative. In a couple vaguer examples, Murray, never stated what the crimes had been committed by the people in said “bond court” in the morning.

The person introducing each speaker stated we need to focus on “Kendall County Jail planning and anticipating such as decreasing in their population that they are consolidating into Kane County. Which tells me they are completely aware that a large hold of their population is there because they are poor. So again, we need to think about this as an equity issue rather than a racial issue because the majority of the people in particular are black and brown.” This is misinformation as Kane County judges have stated they are not prepared at all for this coming fourth.  

The goal of this conference with State Senator Karina Villa District 25, who helped pass this bill for cashless bail at 3:00am, was to downplay the seriousness of the Bill that will hit our State. She stated, “Our system is broken that we have to end no money bond in the state of Illinois”. Our state will branch out looking more and more like Cook County with crime. This was why I went to support the victims of criminals. Our police Chiefs as well as our Sheriffs do not wish this bill upon anyone, as it will make their jobs harder to protect the community. Those that would like to view more on the Safe-T act can visit: www.BrownILSenator25.org under “Issues”.

When I was a young teenager, I graduated from high school early and went to college at the age of 16. I was a troubled teenager and went through my own situations within the courts. I am grateful for my learning experiences I went through during that time. If it was not for the punishments decided by the judges, and mandatory counseling afterwards, I know for a fact, I would not have changed my habits. I am humbled to have gone through the system in DuPage County, which has made me stronger from it all. If bail was cashless back when I was a teenager, I never would have received the help I needed, as many people do with substance abuse and the necessity of mental health facilities.

Ever since my past encounters as a teenager, I have dedicated much of my time to community service and volunteering. I have a loving husband and two beautiful daughters. I have learned from my past and I hope to one day express my experiences with my daughters when they are older. I am proud that I have taught them to respect our police and first responders.

I will always try to protect our citizens and neighborhoods from crime. Running our neighborhood watch with past crime on our block has helped just our small area. Being an Independent City Councilmen for the City of West Chicago for the past 5 and a half years has allowed me to help even more. This is a huge reason I am running for State Senator for District 25, to protect the citizens as well as businesses from a massive influx on crime.

Heather Brown is a candidate for State Senate in Illinois’ 25th District.