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Preckwinkle Slams Critics Of County Policy On Detaining Immigrants

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Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle delivers her 2012 budget address. (Credit: CBS)

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CHICAGO (CBS) – Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle lashed out Thursday at critics of a county ordinance that some have blamed for allowing an illegal immigrant to flee the country after he was released on bond in a fatal drunk driving case.

Preckwinkle said opponents of the ordinance are “fear-mongering” in the wake of news reports that the suspect fled to Mexico after he was released from jail.

The dispute stems from a new county ordinance stopping the county jail from honoring requests from U.S. Immigration and Customs officials to continue detaining suspected illegal immigrants after they post bond.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio’s Steve Miller reports


It’s the latest development in the case of Saul Chavez, who was allowed to bond out of jail on a DUI charge and then fled the country.

Days after Chavez was arrested, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials issued a detainer request, asking that they be notified when Chavez posted bond and continue holding him for up to 48 hours so agents could arrest him for possible deportation.

But the new county ordinance requires the jail to ignore such requests.

This all revolves around the death of a pedestrian, William McCann. Chavez was charged with running over McCann while driving drunk.

The director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has written a letter to Preckwinkle, saying the county’s ordinance undermines public safety.

Preckwinkle lashed out about the criticism on Thursday.

“I’m angry because there are people who are trying to use this complicated issue to divide our communities. This type of fear-mongering is distasteful and has no place in the public policy arena,” she said.

Preckwinkle said she is launching a six-month study of how bonds are set, believing the court system too often fails to properly determine which suspects are a danger to the public.

View Comments
  • Walter

    Is she a moron? She is defying the federal government because she knows better? And this has no place in a public policy forum? Sure, disagree with her and she plays the race card. Myopic moron. I guess she found the hootch Toddy hid in his desk.

    • NObama

      Defying the federal gov. ??? Have you taken a good, long hard look at what NObama’s administration’s stance is on this??? Look at what him and that worthless @ ss hole Holder have done to AZ among other states!!! Bottom line is these socialist liberals need votes and they are willing to sacrifice OUR collective safety to get them, PERIOD! Since when did NObama’s regime start giving a d@mn about the constitution and federal laws???

  • tom Sharp

    Yes, she is a moron. let’s hope the next crook she sets free knocks off someone from her family. Along with providing a wake-up call, it will mean one less vote for her in the next election!

  • Afro

    Preckwinkle trying to use this complicated issue to divide our communities, and has no place in the public policy arena.

    Chicago why do you vote morons like this in to office? She and People like her are why others look down on the Chicago communities. She is out right out of her mind and she is the public hazard. Gawdam no wonder people hate Chicago like they do, and you morons that voted for her I just can’t say enough to express how I truly feel about you but when you die I hope it’s by flames.

  • Afro

    Preckkwinkle is the one trying to use this complicated issue to divide our communities, and has no place in the public policy arena.

    Chicago why do you vote morons like this in to office? She and People like her are why others look down on the Chicago communities. She is out right out of her mind and she is a public hazard. Gawdam no wonder people hate Chicago like they do, and you morons that voted for her I just can’t say enough to express how I truly feel about you but when you die I hope it’s by flames.

  • john

    toni preckwinkle has done more for cook county then both “toddy and his dad”… . you guys must have lost some free money you were getting.

  • Paula

    She has done a lot but is defintely wrong in this area. They need to hold the illegals and than have the feds to ship them back to where they came from. My dad’s and mom’s side of the family are immigrants but legal. If they are illegal than she needs to keep them in jail so the feds can come and ship them back to where they came from. She also needs to charge the feds for the cost.

  • Dave Pup

    How can we allow another Public Official to ignore Federal Laws. Why is she getting paid for not doing her job? Releasing dangerous criminals back onto the streets of Chicago is unacceptable. Preckwinkle should be slammed into a cell herself for her non-action, and disobeying Federal Law!

  • Civilized

    Hey Tom, only bitter losers hate Chicago because they have nothing better going on in their lives. Envy usually has a lot to do with it too.

  • http://www.alipac.us/f12/preckwinkle-blasted-ignoring-ice-laws-248042/#post1250092 Preckwinkle Blasted for Ignoring ICE Laws

    [...] [...]

  • Mark Miller

    Thyer is no excuse for her and her radical beliefes. How can a unqualified idiot who obviously had no regard for the constitution of the United States and no respect for its laws, ever get elected to public office? This is becoming the norm around the country. Look at the President and his administration and szars. It is full people who are affilliated with the communist party, racists, and flag burners.

  • Bob Hamilton

    I am very happy to say I was wrong about Toni Preckwinkle. I thought that she was going to be a clueless hack like her predecessor urkel, but she is doing a great job!
    I apologize for any prior negative comments. Keep up the good work.

  • Chivi

    Illegals (not only Mexicans) are part of the problem. Lots of criminals of all races run to Mexico to get away from the short arm of the law. The laws have to be amended. There is not enough communication between government, city, courts, etc. and these types of things are falling through the cracks.

  • Tee Thompson

    That old ugly hag has no empathy for the victim’s family. Instead she dismisses it with the race card.

  • Gee-reg

    What is so complicated about holdimg onto an already arrested person who is in this country ILLEGALLY and letting the Feds do their job by sending them back to where they came from !!!!!!!!! Most be that she wants them to stay so they vote democratic …

  • http://congressmantomtancredo.com/chicagoland-cook-county-jail-bans-federal-immigration-officers/ Chicagoland: Cook County jail bans federal immigration officers | Congressman Tom Tancredo

    [...] Preckwinkle Slams Critics Of County Policy On Detaining Immigrants (chicago.cbslocal.com) [...]

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