Lake County Gazette

Lake County Republicans noted their disappointment at being left out of a meeting featuring Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart at the Grayslake Area Public Library on Sept. 7. 

The event, they were told, was limited to those belonging to the Democratic organizations in Avon, Libertyville, Lake Villa, and Fremont townships. Grayslake resident Thom Brasuell, Lake County Board member Dick Barr and former state Sen. Suzi Schmidt were among those stopped from entering the meeting. 

“Of course we had questions,” Barr told the News-Sun. “We didn’t know whether or not there would be a Q&A period. But, at the very least, we were very interested to hear what (Rinehart) had to say.” 

Avon Township Democrats vice chairwoman Rachael Rezek reportedly stopped the group from entering. Rezek later apologized for not allowing the group to enter. Group members said the registration for the event did not note it was members only and that a flyer produced beforehand did not note it was limited to members. The group was hoping to hear Rinehart speak about the controversial Safe-T Act. 

Rinehart and Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx are the only two State’s Attorneys who support the Safe-T Act, 100 out of the 102 State's Attorneys oppose it, according to Madison-St. Clair Record.

“Should we detain people who are presumed innocent? The answer is not to look at their bank account,” Rinehart told the News-Sun. “And maybe $500 is easy for some people and it’s not for other people. But why is that income difference, or why is that savings difference, the thing that decides freedom?”

A bipartisan group has sought to encourage Rinehart to change his mind on the Safe-T Act, Lake County Gazette reported earlier.

“As I see 100 out of 102 States attorneys in Illinois pushing back against the safe-t act, and several lawsuits filed against the governor by counties, sheriff's, and States attorneys in an attempt to repeal the SAFE-T act, I'm left wondering where is my county on this issue,” Barr wrote on Facebook addressing Rinehart's support on the bill. “Lake county is one of only 2 counties out of 102 counties in the state to support emptying the jails and cashless bail... while a bipartisan overwhelming majority are pushing for its repeal… Office of Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart, please inform us why only you and Cook States Attorney Kim Foxx are the only ones who support this legislation.” 

Barr noted in his statement that he has been contacted by several women who claimed that Rinehart represented their abusers "and tampered with them as witnesses to get their abusers lighter jail sentences... How are we to trust that you have the safety of Lake County's law-abiding residents in your heart on this issue?” 

He urged Rinehart to “accept the invitation to address the entire public on this issue and not only speak to partisan groups who are looking for you for talking points and spin.” 

According to Barr, Rinehart's office and "the governor's office claim that the sources of this information against the safe-t act are biased sources." He has been waiting for them to "counter any of the claims that the bill releases violent and potentially violent criminals.” 

“Please speak publicly to this important issue that affects all of Lake County and Illinois,” Barr called out Rinehart.