Dupage Policy Journal

Safe Suburbs founder and former Naperville City Councilman Kevin Coyne is suggesting Democrats focus on what is important.  

Coyne said Democrats should give up efforts to control the unvaccinated and focus more on the historic violence the state is experiencing.

Coyne’s comments come in the way of a bill – HB 4640 – sponsored by state Rep. Deb Conroy (D-Villa Park). It has been roundly criticized for its authoritarian tone.  

“It’s infuriating that Conroy, as one of the supporters of free bail, wants to keep law abiding people hidden away while she lets repeat violent offenders walk our streets. COVID numbers are in freefall,” he said.

Conroy’s bill would allow the state to "isolate or quarantine persons who are unable or unwilling to receive vaccines, medications or other treatments."

“If Conroy is serious about public safety she should focus on stopping violent crime, not creating more terribly intrusive, unnecessary, and ineffectual COVID laws,” Coyne said.

Conroy's plan would give local health departments and state legislators formal legal authority to fully regulate the behavior of anyone who does not obey their COVID-19 limits and rules, including isolating and guarding them.

According to the text, local health departments can "adopt any rules" necessary, which might include internment-like camps, which are now popular in Australia, where anyone judged a risk can be arrested and taken to "isolation camps" where they are held in rooms and fed just once a day.

Three fugitives from a Howard Spring camp were just “captured” after escaping from such a camp.

Coyne suggested Conroy and other Democrats tackle real crime.

Coyne’s Safe Suburbs consists of a group of former government officials and community leaders who promote pro-police candidates for office and advocate for pro-law enforcement legislation.

Violent crime was on the rise in Cook County and Chicago, resulting in breakouts of violence in the surrounding areas, with the crime rate on the rise since the county eliminated cash bail in 2016.

That and higher standards for prosecution have resulted in Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx being blamed for exacerbating the state's crime problem.

Murders in the region have increased dramatically, with Cook County reporting over 1,000 homicides in 2021, the highest number since 1994.

Conroy voted to end cash bail statewide in 2023.

She is now vying for the position of chairman on the DuPage County Board of Commissioners.

The bill's severe language, according to political commentators, will hurt her chances of getting elected to the position, which pays about $128,000 per year. Her yearly salary as a legislator is almost $70,000 before extras.

Illinois has some of the most stringent COVID-19 regulations of any state.

Conroy’s bill comes just as CDC and Johns Hopkins University research indicates natural immunity gives much higher protection against COVID-19 than vaccination.