DuPage Sheriff candidate on Hinsdale burglary: 'Pritzker's no-cash-bail SAFE-T Act incentivizes crimes'

Sean Noonan, candidate for DuPage County Sheriff and former DuPage County Board Member, said that the SAFE-T Act’s no-cash-bail system weakens deterrence and enables repeat offenders, citing a Hinsdale burglary case.

"Governor Pritzker's no-cash-bail SAFE-T Act incentivizes crimes like this because there is no deterrent when caught," said Noonan. "The criminals in Illinois are becoming too familiar with the detention requirements and are repeatedly taking advantage of opportunities to commit crimes that would have previously landed them in jail for an extended period of time. Not only did these offenders commit a burglary and criminal damage to property by forced entry, but they are clearly resisting arrest by fleeing. When the consequences aren't appropriate for the crime committed, then there is no deterrent and the behavior will be repeated."

According to DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin, Judge Joshua Dieden granted detention for a Chicago man accused of burglarizing a high-end boutique in Hinsdale and fleeing from police. Prosecutors noted that three co-defendants faced non-detainable charges and were released with conditions under Illinois’ pretrial rules. This situation highlights the ongoing debate over when detention should apply following organized retail thefts.

The Illinois Supreme Court upheld the Pretrial Fairness Act, effectively ending cash bail statewide on September 18, 2023. Judges may still detain individuals after an adversarial hearing if the state proves a "specific, real and present threat" or likely willful flight. However, detention decisions depend on statutory categories and procedures. Supporters argue that risk-based release is fairer, while critics contend that constraints can hinder timely custody.

Local cases continue to raise concerns about repeat offenders. In November 2025, DuPage prosecutors reported that a Chicago man on pretrial release for a prior felony retail theft was charged with new thefts and burglaries at stores in Oak Brook and Wheaton. A judge later revoked his release due to an ongoing pattern of offenses while under bond-less supervision—an example used by critics to argue that the current system weakens deterrence.

Ballotpedia notes that Sean Noonan served on the DuPage County Board representing District 2 from 2012 to 2020 and has a law enforcement background as a Western Springs police sergeant. His profile emphasizes his county-level service, committee work, and subsequent candidacies, framing his public safety focus through both policing and local government—a context he invokes when discussing pretrial release and organized retail theft.