Chicago City Wire

Senate District 11 candidate Thomas McGill (R) recently took to Twitter to lambast opponent Mike Porfirio (D).

"My opponent, progressive demonrat (sic) Mike Porfirio and his team, with their pro-criminal agenda, continue their lies to the people of Illinois!" McGill tweeted. "In a coordinated shenanigan, slapped together the Safe-T in 2017! It started off as the Cook County Rocket Docket and then in 2018, modifications to the cash bail system and started off as a 7 page bill turn turned into a 764 page conundrum! And here we are! Come November 8th you know what to do! PUNCH 32!"

According to McGill's campaign website, McGill is campaigning on "people over criminals," "people over politics" and "no more Madigan shenanigans." 

“Truth about Safe-T Act no one is talking about," McGill replied to a tweet from Gov. J.B. Pritzker. "I worked the house arrest program in Cook County. Offenders who violated and escaped, we took back into custody whether it's 2, 4, 10 or 24 hours later. Now, there's a 48 hour wait if the offender remains in violation.”

In his Ballotpedia survey response, he claims that Democratic legislators are pro-criminal and it's "clearly evident with SB 1609, HB 3332 and HB 3653. Most notably on HB 3653, it allows offenders on house arrest to 'escape!' Offenders will not be held accountable for the first 48 hours." 

Incumbent 11th District Sen. Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) was appointed to the position in 2020 after State Sen. Martin Sandoval died. McGill's website noted that Villanueva supports the SAFE-T Act. "In addition to Celina’s defund the police movement, which we have seen nationwide isn't working and it just puts innocent law-abiding citizens in harms way." It further stated that "With the passing of HB 3653, which Celina was involved with, that bill with all its pro-criminal legislation will jeopardize our public safety even more when parts of the bill take effect 01/01/2023!" 

Villanueva is running to represent the 12th Senate District.

Democrat Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow opposes the SAFE-T Act. In a memo, Illinois GOP Chairman Don Tracy said: "You’re right, James. Any ‘normal sane person’ would say a law immediately releasing violent criminals onto our streets to commit more acts of violence is 'absurd' and 'ridiculous.' More importantly, it doesn’t keep our communities safe...Four more years of J.B. Pritzker is dangerous for Illinois," according to Will County Gazette. 

The law has come under criticism from numerous law enforcement officials in the state, including Lombard Police Chief Roy Newton and several other State's Attorneys. 

McGill is a lifelong resident of the Midway Airport area on Chicago's Southwest Side. He is an insurance agency owner and a former investigator for the Cook County Sheriff's Office.