Dupage Policy Journal

Sean Noonan, a candidate for DuPage County Sheriff, criticized Kim Foxx's tenure as Cook County State's Attorney, describing her legacy as "fewer prosecutions, more victims." Noonan pledged that DuPage County would not emulate Chicago's approach. His comments came in response to a plea deal involving a Venezuelan migrant accused of violent crimes.

"Kim Foxx's legacy is clear: fewer prosecutions, more victims," said Noonan. "DuPage won't repeat Chicago's mistakes."

According to CWB Chicago, Elvis Hernandez-Pernalete, 29, a Venezuelan migrant, was accused of two violent attacks near the University of Illinois Chicago campus. Despite initial charges of sexual assault and robbery, he will serve less than three years in prison after prosecutors agreed to drop these charges in a plea deal. Hernandez-Pernalete pleaded guilty only to robbing one woman and received a six-year sentence from Judge Ursula Walowski. Under Illinois law, inmates are eligible for automatic 50 percent sentence reductions for good behavior, with additional credits potentially reducing their time further. Consequently, Hernandez-Pernalete is expected to be released by December 2026.

The plea deal was reached despite prosecutors initially labeling Hernandez-Pernalete as a public safety threat following two attacks in March 2024. Surveillance footage reportedly showed him trailing a woman from the UIC-Halsted Blue Line station before choking her unconscious and stealing her jewelry. Prosecutors said he later admitted to believing he had killed the woman before fleeing when a witness intervened. Hours later, authorities allege he attempted another robbery by choking another woman.

Kim Foxx faced significant criticism during her tenure for what opponents described as a "soft-on-crime" approach. According to Fox32Chicago, this included her directive to reject drug and gun charges arising solely from routine traffic stops. Critics argued that this policy undermined public safety by removing an essential tool for intercepting illegal weapons. Chicago Alderman Sylvana Tabares remarked that it was "cementing Foxx’s legacy as the biggest pro‑criminal advocate in the nation." Foxx has since left office.

Sean T. Noonan currently serves as a patrol sergeant with the Western Springs Police Department.