Dupage Policy Journal

Former Illinois State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) slammed a lead SAFE-T Act sponsor after he took to social media to lament a weekend mass shooting on Chicago's South Side.

Ives made the comment on X.com Sunday, after State. Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) called for "accountability" and wrote "enough is enough," after learning about the shooting in Back of the Yards, in which a nine year-old child was killed and ten were wounded.

"Not buying your outrage Rep. Buckner. Your party has been in control of the city for over 90 years," Ives wrote.

Ariana Molina, age nine, was shot in the head after gang members sprayed a Back of the Yards home near 52nd and Damen around 9:20 p.m. Saturday night. Shotspotter reported 18 rounds were fired during the incident.

Buckner, a lead sponsor of the SAFE-T Act and advocate for ending cash bail, releasing those accused with gun crime to await trial from home, versus in Cook County Jail, tweeted that the shooting was "nasty, disgusting, depraved."

"The cowards who did this slept in someone’s home last night. Don’t give them anonymity or protection. The city is crying, our kids are under siege.  Accountability. Enough is enough," he wrote.

"Reforms" of Buckner and Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx have resulted in the release of hundreds of accused violent criminals to Chicago's streets, including many who commit more violent crime there while awaiting trial. They include 30 year-old crack dealer Jesse Davis, sentenced to 8 1/2 years in state prison after shooting at two people while out on bail for two separate felony shooting incidents.

Buckner was born and raised in Chicago. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a J.D. from DePaul University College of Law. He was first elected to the Illinois State House in 2020, and was reelected in 2022. Before serving district 26, he worked as the executive director of World Sport Chicago and as the manager of neighborhood and government relations for the Chicago Cubs.

Ives, in addition to representing Illinois' 42nd House District, is a former Republican candidate for governor. She also a member of the Wheaton City Council, attended the U.S. Military Academy and was an officer in the U.S. Army. Ives is host of "The Real Story" on AM 560 in Chicago.