Law enforcement group objects to release of non-citizens from prison without notification

A law enforcement group and Republican legislative leaders said a recent Illinois Department of Corrections policy change means convicted felons who aren’t U.S. citizens are being released from prison in communities with no notice to local law enforcement, a practice they said raises public safety concerns.

Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey said law enforcement officials were notified Jan. 30 by IDOC they had canceled pickups of non-citizens upon release from prisons. Downey said they had to go to federal authorities at Immigration and Customs Enforcement for information about the policy change.