Mercer County Sheriff Dusty Terrill
Mercer County Sheriff Dusty Terrill supporting the Illinois Sheriff’s Association as the group expresses concern over a recent Illinois Department of Corrections policy change. The change means convicted felons who aren’t U.S. citizens are being released to the public with no notice to local law enforcement. Illinois law enforcement officials were notified Jan. 30 by IDOC they had canceled pickups of non-citizens being released by prisons. Terrill says the issue is concerning.
Republican lawmakers joined the sheriffs in calling for a swift reversal of the policy. State Senator Jason Barickman demanded a Senate committee look into the issue. A spokesperson from IDOC said the policy reflects the state’s Trust Act that prohibits law enforcement from detaining someone based on immigration status.