Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine released his office’s annual report for 2023 on Tuesday, highlighting the State’s Attorney’s Office’s “stellar accomplishments” in upholding the law and advocating for justice.
“The State’s Attorney’s Office consists of an energetic and devoted team of public servants and professionals, who pursue the ends of justice under law in a variety of ways, touching every facet of Madison County government and every community in Madison County,” Haine said. “However, many members of the community and even our leaders in County Government don’t interact with the justice system on a day-to-day basis, and therefore do not get an opportunity to see the tremendous work of our team. Our hope is that this report provides insight into how your hard-earned tax dollars are put to work in the cause of justice.”
“All of our efforts depend upon the support and cooperation of the County Board. We’re grateful for this vital support, which demonstrates that our elected leaders - and the voters of Madison County - see public safety as an important key to our future,” he added. “Hopefully, our efforts will continue to have a major impact in fighting the scourge of crime so our families and businesses can thrive in safety.”
The report notes that the State’s Attorney’s Office had a $5,539,952 budget for 2023 and came in $196,024 under budget.
Haine highlights his office’s efforts to prosecute and reduce a backlog of cases that developed during the COVID lockdown and restrictions. When Haine was elected to the office in 2020, there were 5,620 cases open at the end of the year. That number was reduced to 4,214 open cases at the end of 2023.
According to the report, the State’s Attorney’s Office prosecuted a total of 3,769 felonies to conclusion in 2023 through trial convictions, guilty pleas and other dispositions. There were 2,996 new felony charges filed.
“Our goal is to have no more open felony cases than we charge in a given year,” Haine said. “We are almost there. This is important because for the victims of crime, justice delayed is justice denied.”
“These efforts were made all the more complicated due to the implementation of the SAFE-T Act approximately two-thirds of the way through 2023,” he added.
Haine’s annual report addresses the response by the State’s Attorney's Office to the Sept. 18, 2023, implementation of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today Act, or SAFE-T Act.
“The SAFE-T Act remains a major challenge, and it has taken a major effort to ensure that we continue keeping our communities safe while working within the constraints of this new law,” Haine said. “Prosecutors from the State’s Attorney's Office held multiple strategy meetings and training sessions with law enforcement agencies to find ways to minimize the harmful impact of the SAFE-T Act. I’m immensely grateful for their work, along with the cooperation we’ve received from the courts, probation department, Circuit Clerk’s Office and other stakeholders.”
The SAFE-T Act eliminated cash bail and only allows for pretrial detention of criminal suspects if they are charged with certain high-level offenses. Even in those cases, the State’s Attorney’s Office must persuade a judge that the defendant meets additional criteria, such as being a ‘real and present threat’ to others before pretrial detention can be granted.
The SAFE-T Act was originally set to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2023, but was delayed after Haine, Madison County Sheriff Jeff Connor and dozens of other state’s attorneys throughout Illinois filed a lawsuit challenging the new law. A last-minute amendment was then passed, alleviating some of the problems with the SAFE-T Act and giving communities more time to prepare.
“Though we didn’t ask for this change (in fact we vigorously opposed it), we have worked hard to keep our community safe under the new constraints of the SAFE-T Act,” the report states. “As the SAFE-T Act was being introduced, we challenged it in court and, in response to the public outcry, were very happy that a major amendment was passed at the last minute, modifying many of the most egregious portions of the original bill.”
“We believe our efforts made this Act less harmful to law-abiding citizens as it went into effect,” it continues.
The State’s Attorney’s Office launched the Warrant Division last year in part to meet new requirements under the SAFE-T Act. The Warrant Division evaluates investigations presented by law enforcement agencies and determines what, if any, charges should be issued. The Division also prepares detention petitions and presents arguments in support of those petitions during detention hearings. It is staffed primarily by two assistant state’s attorneys as well as support personnel.
According to the report, there were a total of 93 detention hearings resulting in 59 defendants ordered to remain in custody pending trial, which amounts to 63%. The other 34 defendants were granted pretrial release, or 37%.
“We will continue to aggressively seek detention where local law enforcement agencies see merit to such a request, in order to zealously protect crime victims and the public,” the report states.
The report also addresses a new case management software system for felony cases, called Prosecutor By Karpel. The new system is expected to improve the office’s efficiency, especially with the volume of digital data associated with criminal prosecution continuing to grow due to mandates under the SAFE-T Act. The report states that the system has the ability to streamline workflows, cut costs and increase the capabilities and speed of prosecutors.
“For the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office, 2023 marked a year of significant change,” the report states. “Some of these changes - such as implementation of a new case-management software system - were undertaken as part of our ongoing effort to utilize the best and most efficient tools to handle our cases and thereby keep our neighborhoods safe, better serve the citizens of Madison County and pursue justice for victims of crime.”
“Other changes were made in order to better situate our county for the implementation of the SAFE-T Act, which has had a monumental impact on the criminal justice system,” it continues.
“While navigating these major changes, the Madison County’s State’s Attorney’s Office has continued fulfilling its core mission of pursuing justice and fighting crime. This has been a true team effort, and a testament to the incredible professionals who dedicate their careers to public service in the office,” it continues.
The annual report also includes the efforts and impacts of Haine’s Cross-River Crime Task Force. The task force completed four patrols in 2023, apprehending fugitives, recovering stolen vehicles, confiscating illegal drugs, and seizing illegally possessed weapons.
“Just as importantly, the task force’s highly-visible presence in targeted areas continued to send a clear message to would-be criminals,” the report states.
Founded in 2021, the Cross-River Crime Task Force employs real-time data from automated license plate readers and techniques such as saturation patrols to discourage criminal activity in the county.
Since its inception, vehicle theft cases have declined from a record high of 255 charges for offenses related to motor vehicles in 2021 to 145 charges in 2023.
“Crimes involving motor vehicles, along with attempts to flee from police, present a great danger to fellow motorists to pedestrians, and to police officers,” the report states. “Our belief is that the Cross-River Crime Task Force will prove to be a smart approach to this troubling trend.”
The report also lists the top felony charges filed in 2023, which is led by 476 charges for possession of methamphetamine. Madison County also saw 363 charges filed for possession of a controlled substance; 184 charges for retail theft over $300; 143 charges for aggravated fleeing police; 125 charges for felony theft; 113 charges for felon in possession of a weapon; 111 charges for receiving, possessing, or selling a stolen vehicle; 96 charges for burglary; 68 charges for aggravated domestic battery; and 68 charges for aggravated unlawful use of weapons.
Haine’s report provides county residents, community organizations, elected officials, County Board members and law enforcement agencies with insights into the office’s operations over the past year. He encourages the public to review the annual reports and provide feedback on the efforts of the State’s Attorney’s Office.
“Accountability and transparency are essential components of effective governance,” he said. “We remain committed to serving the needs of our community and working collaboratively to address challenges and promote public safety, and we appreciate everyone’s feedback so we can continue to improve and keep Madison County a wonderful and safe place for all of us in the future.”