LAKE COUNTY – Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran's office released a 32 year old jailed for felony drug charges and detained for a federal immigration violation Thursday, according to a report in the Lake County News-Sun.
Gov. Bruce Rauner signed the Illinois Trust Act into law Monday that paved the way for Luis Antonio Camacho Vazquez to be released after his bond was posted, the report said. Before the signing of the bill into law this week, the suspect, who was also accused of breaking federal immigration law, would have been detained until federal authorities picked him up.
Authorities told the News-Sun Vazquez was the first detainee at the Lake County jail released under the state's new Trust Act. They have 28 others being held on immigration offenses that may now post bond and be released after the measure became law Monday.
Another case presented itself in McHenry County, news blogger Cal Skinner reported Friday. Sheriff Bill Prim's office issued a statement affecting a illegal immigrant in their custody charged with a crime of violence.
Prim is seeking guidance from the State's Attorney's Office, as well as federal and state authorities before releasing the suspect if he's able to post bond. Despite assurances from some law enforcement, lawmakers and the governor's office, the new law is stirring confusion.
“We have a public act less than a week old with a sweeping effect that has yet to be interpreted by any court," Prim's statement said. “Our objective at this point is to move slowly and cautiously, with public safety as our foremost consideration, consistent with constitutional responsibilities. We are working in cooperation with the State’s Attorney’s Office and have requested guidance from federal and state authorities."
State Rep. David McSweeney (R-Barrington) told Illinois Review Friday that he had spoken with Sheriff Prim and asked him to not proceed with any immigration-connected release until Prim hears from the Attorney General of the United States.
"This is about protecting the public, and because I represent some of McHenry County, this decision will affect the safety of those I represent. Sheriff Prim assured me he would wait to hear from Sessions before moving forward," McSweeney said.
Other Illinois Review stories on the topic:
- UPDATE 2X: NOW SIX IL GOP LAWMAKERS FILE EFFORT TO REPEAL SANCTUARY LAW
- RAUNER & TRUST ACT FEATURED ON NATIONAL FOX NEWS
- IL GOP WARNS NOT TO BELIEVE "MISINFORMATION" CIRCULATING ABOUT IMMIGRATION LAW
- NATIONAL WATCHDOG GROUP FILES FOIA REQUEST OF GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ON IMMIGRATION BILL
- GOVERNOR EXPLAINS WHY HE SIGNED IMMIGRATION BILL
- IL GOP SUPPORTS RAUNER SIGNING MEASURE TO BAN STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT'S COOPERATION WITH ICE
- GOVERNOR RAUNER TO SIGN SB 31 "TRUST ACT" MONDAY MORNING
