* Forrest Brandon of DeKalb has been arrested for threatening a public official, Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore). From the police department synopsis…

On July 15, 2024 at 9:38 PM, a threatening voice mail from phone number 312-xxx-xxxx was left on IL State Representative Jeffrey Keicher’s office voice mail. The caller, who identified himself as Forrest Brandon, suggested he may assassinate Kreicher because of a partisan event being hosted at a public high school. The event was determined
to be a senior fair planned for 7/18/24 at the Dekalb High School.

The threat was transcribed as “Yeah, yes, sir, my name is Forrest Brandon. I’m a U.S. Air Force veteran. I wanna know what the hell’s going on with you hosting a partisan event at a public high school. Screw you Republicans. Hey! Maybe I might assassinate you. I may. Not saying I will. I’m just saying I may.”

Forrest was Interviewed on 07/17/24 and admitted to making the call and saying he sald he “may” assassinate the representative, but claimed he never intended to carry out the threat. Forrest said he was “angry” and “confused” at the time. Mr. Keicher advised he felt apprehensive of receiving bodily harm after recieving the threatening message and was forced to postpone the senior fair.

It’s a Class 3 Felony.

…Adding… Sen. Rezin…

Illinois Senate Deputy Minority Leader Sue Rezin (R-Morris) released the following statement in response to the Illinois State Police’s (ISP) arrest of a DeKalb resident who allegedly threatened to commit an assassination at the DeKalb Senior Health Fair, days after the failed assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump:

“After communicating with law enforcement, we decided to postpone our Senior Health Fair due to a politically motivated and chilling threat of possible plans to commit an assassination at the event. Though we were disappointed that we weren’t able to assist members of our community at the date planned, ensuring the safety of our seniors, vendors, and staff was our top priority.

“I am grateful to the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement for taking the threat seriously and quickly acting with a thorough investigation and arrest of the alleged suspect. I look forward to rescheduling a Senior Health Fair in DeKalb in the near future.”

…Adding… Shaw Local…

Keicher, R-Sycamore, told Shaw Local News Network Friday the fair was postponed because a threat upon his life had been made. He said he’s never received a threat as severe as Monday’s. Keicher’s district includes portions of DeKalb, Boone, Kane and McHenry counties.

”There was, during [COVID-19], a lot of frustrations about some government policies but it never rose to the level of an overt threat on life, and I think it’s a reflection of the heat of the political dialogue that’s going on in our country right now, and I’m hopeful that we can use it as a lesson to be able to calm down the rhetoric a little bit, and talk about solving our issues, instead of violence,” Keicher said.

Daily Herald…

“It was definitely something that you don’t expect to receive and listen to,” said Keicher of Sycamore. “When you hear the tone in the voice, and two days after former President Donald Trump was shot, it is a little chilling.”

The event in question was a popular, long-standing Senior Health Fare offering information about state services as well as medical and dental care and veterans’ needs. Keicher and other organizers canceled the fair, which had been set for Thursday at DeKalb High School, but will reschedule it.

“It’s my sincerest hope that in hearing about this incident, we are able to dial down the rhetoric in the current political season,” he said.

He added that he was “very impressed and thankful for the response of the Illinois State Police and the city of DeKalb Police Department.”