Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

* UPDATED x1 * Pritzker slammed over pardon for politically connected arsonist

Posted in:

Illinois
Updated Posts

* From the Richard Irvin campaign…

Following a scathing news report on Governor JB Pritzker issuing problematic pardons, Richard Irvin, Aurora Mayor and gubernatorial candidate, released the following statement:

“Another day and another example of J.B. Pritzker putting our communities at risk by pardoning an arsonist and clearing the way for him to become, of all things, a fire chief. We learned that not only did Pritzker allow arsonist Jerame Simmons to become a fire chief, the governor also disregarded a documented history of lawbreaking, and either missed or ignored obvious lies on Simmons’ pardon petition.

From releasing child murderers and arsonists to signing a bill with cashless bail for dangerous criminals, it’s clear Governor Pritzker doesn’t care about the safety of Illinois families.”

The pardon from Governor JB Pritzker that cleared the way for Jerame Simmons to become a full-time, paid fire chief is just one of 162 pardons Pritzker has issued. According to a former U.S. pardon attorney, the pardon process is described “a bit opaque,” something that the general public or even state lawmakers aren’t privy to; it starts with the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, a 14 member board that is appointed by the Governor. Currently, three of the 14 seats on the board remain vacant while the nine remaining have yet to gain Senate approval–despite cries from the state legislature to do so.

* ILGOP…

Only in JB Pritzker’s Illinois could a politically-connected arsonist get a pardon to become a fire chief. You have to read it to believe it. As reported by Capitol News Illinois:

“SPRINGFIELD – Jerame Simmons got his long-held wish in December when he became the chief of the fire department that dismissed him 24 years ago after he was charged with setting fire to a vacant house and attempting to burn down his high school….

…But it was a pardon from Gov. JB Pritzker that finally cleared the way for Simmons to become the full-time, paid fire chief for the Prairie Du Pont Fire Department….

…The case drew national attention as 11 of the department’s 13 firefighters resigned following the fire protection district’s decision to oust the former chief in favor of Simmons…

…Simmons filed his petition on July 15, 2019, directly contradicting contemporary law enforcement reports of a number of 1998 incidents…

…Simmons, the son of a former deputy U.S. marshal and Metro East mayor, claimed innocence and submitted testimony from local officials attesting to his work ethic and trustworthiness.”

* Also from that Capitol News Illinois story…

“The governor is a strong believer in criminal justice reform and that means carefully and thoughtfully considering petitions for clemency from those who have demonstrated a commitment to rehabilitation while serving their sentence and after,” she stated. “The governor takes the PRB’s recommendations to heart as he weighs these decisions.” […]

Simmons completed his probation but was later charged with a host of other crimes. Those include:

• A 2006 charge of leaving the scene of an accident, to which he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six months supervision.
• A 2006 charge of violating an order of protection, which was dismissed.
• A 2008 charge of falsely impersonating a police officer, which was also dismissed.
• Two charges in 2008 for violating an order of protection, both of which were dismissed.
• A 2009 charge of obstructing a police officer, to which he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to conditional discharge.
• A 2016 charge of disorderly conduct, to which he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 90 days of court supervision.

In 2018, Simmons was charged with disorderly conduct for a fight at a strip club in Sauget. One of the bouncers at the club told police that Simmons pulled a gun on him when he tried to remove his wife from the club, according to a 2018 report from the Belleville News-Democrat.

* Media advisory…

WHO: State Representatives David Friess (R-Red Bud), Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis), and Mark Luft (R-Pekin)

WHAT: As scandal continues to surround Governor J.B. Pritzker’s pardon of convicted arsonist Jerame Simmons that allowed him to become fire chief of the Prairie Du Pont Fire Department, House Republicans will introduce legislation (HB 5693) that aims to prevent similar situations from happening.

WHEN: 11:00 AM on Wednesday, February 16, 2022.

WHERE: Blue Room, Illinois State Capitol and streamed live on BlueroomStream

Synopsis…

Provides that a person applying for a position in a fire department or fire protection district must disclose if he or she has been convicted, arrested, or charged with arson, aggravated arson, or criminal damage to property due to recklessly, by means of fire, damaging the property of another or knowingly starting a fire on the land of another. Provides that the person or board hiring an individual who has applied to a position in a fire department or fire protection district may take into consideration the disclosed convictions, arrests, or charges in the hiring or retention of the applicant.

…Adding… The governor’s office sent the full response…

There is a clear process that has been used for decades when governors exercise their clemency powers. The Prisoner Review Board makes confidential recommendations to the governor who reviews clemency petitions and takes action. The Governor is a strong believer in criminal justice reform and that means carefully and thoughtfully considering petitions for clemency from those who have demonstrated a commitment to rehabilitation while serving their sentence and after. The Governor takes the PRB’s recommendations to heart as he weighs these decisions.

Whatever. The governor pardoned a daddy’s boy who, by the looks of things, has gotten himself in and has then been pulled back out of trouble for much of his life. The governor’s folks also sent along the PRB file which includes letters of recommendation that I’m ABSOLUTELY SURE HAD NOTHING WHATSOEVER to do with daddy’s local influence. Click here.

…Adding… In the pardon petition, Simmons wrote that his cousin had set the fire with a flare. But if you read the state fire marshal’s brief report, you’ll see they found a gas can in the burned house and evidence that a flammable liquid had been used in the fire as well as evidence of a fuse.

*** UPDATE *** Gov. Pritzker was peppered with some questions about crime at his press conference today, including a question about how Richard Irvin is trying to tie Pritzker’s signature on the SAFE-T Act to the killing of 8 police officers in 2021…

All I can say about what’s going on on the Republican side is it continues to be a mess. […]

All I can say about some individual candidates views is they’re wrong. We’re trying to make our state safer for people across the state. And whatever the insinuation is about that, I can tell you that police funding, police training, making sure that we have police cameras, body cameras, which police want and the public wants. These are all a part of what we’ve been doing to keep people safe. Some of that is a part of the Safe-T Act as well. And so I’m pleased that many of those provisions in the Safe-T Act that I just mentioned are already in effect and some of the provisions that people are falsely pointing to and saying or making the world less safe, haven’t even gone into effect. […]

Let’s be clear, the Republicans are wrong. They’re the ones who voted against funding State Police. They’re the ones who voted against funding in order to reduce the amount of violence and crime. And then they, it’s like the arsonist right, lighting the house on fire and then you know, calling the fire department saying ‘I don’t know what happened.’ That’s what the Republicans are doing. They’re wrong on every point. […]

I mean, they’re going to put out false messaging about this and I would hope that people will see through it. I’m certainly going to help them see the truth.

Well, that crack about an arsonist was picked up by the Irvin campaign…

As long as the Governor is talking about arsonists, perhaps he can address why he pardoned one, clearing the way for him to become a fire chief? #twill https://t.co/2rD5NV4aSk

— Irvin Bourne HQ (@IrvinBourneHQ) February 16, 2022

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 9:22 am

Comments

The Board was aware he had been convicted of arson and they hired him anyway. I’m not sure how the legislation they want to introduce would have fixed what happened here.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 9:34 am
Frankly, the crime Simmons was pardoned for sounds like the prosector’s mess and a good use of the pardon power.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 9:35 am
== Frankly, the crime Simmons was pardoned for sounds like the prosector’s mess and a good use of the pardon power. ==

Is that arson or obstruction or disorderly conduct? They occurred years apart so I am curious if you feel that way about all of them or just the arson.

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 9:47 am
“Frankly, the crime Simmons was pardoned for sounds like the prosector’s mess and a good use of the pardon power.”

Okay, fine. The guy should not be chief. And JB’s pardon is a catalyst for this guy being chief. And I don’t blame anybody for being upset about it. JB should publicly ask him to resign immediately.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 9:57 am
If any of this is true, it should be fixed. We don’t need legislation for this, we just need those in charge to pay attention. I doubt HIGHLY that the Gov. would just pardon a sketchy dude like this for some political “favor”.

Comment by allknowingmasterofraccoondom Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 10:00 am
==The guy should not be chief.==

OK, fine.

==And JB’s pardon is a catalyst for this guy being chief.==

Is it? It’s been awhile since I’ve practiced criminal law, but my understanding is that a pardon doesn’t automatically come with anything else, let alone a decent job. Seems like the “catalyst” for him becoming fire chief was the actions of the local authorities.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 10:01 am
JB did not hire Simmons, local officials did. Rather than criticizing them, partisan opponents blame the governor.

Comment by anon2 Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 10:05 am
If he were not pardoned, he would not be fire chief. Period. Of course the board has the final say in the matter. They should be turned out on their ears too. And I am a big believer in second chances. But making an arsonist a fire chief? Come on.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 10:06 am
==If he were not pardoned, he would not be fire chief. Period. Of course the board has the final say in the matter.==

The Board was fully aware of the background of this guy. Whether he were pardoned or not he was going to become the fire chief. This was small town politics and nothing more. This situation had absolutely nothing to do with anything the Governor did. Period.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 10:08 am
Letting an arsonist become fire chief sounds like a parody of political malpractice, surprised the Governor bit on this. If he were the only person willing to do the job that would be one thing but it doesn’t sound like this was necessary for the function of the fire department. PRB is a policy recommendation body, there’s a reason we still ask political officials to make the final decision.

Comment by vern Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 10:10 am
I was a volunteer firefighter in that area some thirty plus years ago and knew both Simmons and his Dad. I think what’s missing here from the Irvin camp is. Over the year Simmons had held various positions at different fire departments. I think he actually worked at my old department helping out for a short time. When the board hired his as Chief he had been the Acting Chief there already. He had many letters of recommendation from area Fire Chiefs and Captains in his support that knew his background.

Comment by Club J Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 10:10 am
“This situation had absolutely nothing to do with anything the Governor did. Period.”

100% disagree. The pardon gave them their cover. They wouldn’t have done it otherwise.

To the update, mighty weak sauce from the Governor’s Office.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 10:12 am
==If he were not pardoned, he would not be fire chief.==

And yet, most people who get pardons don’t become fire chiefs, so you can write out “period”, “question mark” or “interrobang” and the pardon still won’t be the “catalyst” for this guy getting the fire chief job. I’m sorry that the people who made that mistake are less politically convenient for you, but it is what it is.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 10:16 am
==100% disagree. The pardon gave them their cover. They wouldn’t have done it otherwise.==

Baloney. You need to understand the local politics a little bit more. It’s clear you do not.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 10:19 am
== I think what’s missing here from the Irvin camp is==

The other thing missing- and tbf, no one likes talking about this- is that lots of these first responder type guys have rap sheets with various degrees of the officials looking the other way.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 10:19 am
“I’m sorry that the people who made that mistake are less politically convenient for you, but it is what it is.”

You obviously don’t pay much attention to my posts. Can’t say I blame you for that, but I am a fairly strong JB supporter. And my words were “a catalyst” not “the catalyst.” A small but very important difference.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 10:21 am
==Baloney. You need to understand the local politics a little bit more. It’s clear you do not.==

If not for Pritzker’s pardon, Simmons COULDN’T have become a fire chief. People with arson convictions are BARRED from being full time firefighters.

Comment by well... Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 10:26 am
Not a great look. When you’re the most powerful person in the state, you do get to say no to some things people ask for.

Personally, I also think someone with an arson conviction should probably look for a different line of work. Plenty of other government jobs to put family in. Seems tone deaf to even try.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 10:38 am
==I am a fairly strong JB supporter==

Politics play out in multiple dimensions.

==And my words were “a catalyst” not “the catalyst.”==

For the reasons I’ve stated, I don’t believe it’s either an “a” or the “the”.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 10:39 am
= People with arson convictions are BARRED from being full time firefighters.=

Say hello to our new part-time chief.

Seriously, it’s like some of you never lived in a small town and paid attention to its politics.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 10:41 am
JB doesn’t hire Fire Chiefs… maybe he should after what local authorities decided to do… Only partially kidding…

Comment by Lincoln Lad Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 10:48 am
Seems like a fair hit by the Irwin campaign.

Comment by Back to the Future Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 10:51 am
==You need to understand the local politics a little bit more==

I guess the 11 out of 13 firefighters who reigned didn’t get the local politics either

Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 10:55 am
==I guess the 11 out of 13 firefighters who reigned didn’t get the local politics either ==

I mean, they very well may not. But also, that’s not really responsive to what Demoralized was saying. They resigned because they- justifiably- don’t want this guy to be fire chief, not because he got pardoned.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 11:00 am
Firemen should have background checks before being hired.

https://www.bbp-chicago.com/other-news/2011/04/04/bbp-claims-victory-firefighter-arson-case/

Persons, religious and otherwise, having propensities toward pedophilia should have background checks before being hired for positions related to care of children.

Police having records of domestic and other violence should have background checks before hire.

I don’t see performing background checks as a function of governor.

Comment by Glenn Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 11:07 am
I imagine the pardon would have been untenable if the new fire chief had torched the strip joint instead of just pulled a gun inside

Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 11:20 am
Multiple orders of protection should be considered a red flag for the position of fire chief. I would not feel safe if this person was fire chief in my community.

Comment by Enviro Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 11:25 am
If there’s any lesson to be learned by the documents provided by the Pritzker Administration, it’s absolutely that no one should ever talk to a detective if they are a suspect in a crime without their attorney present.

===you’ll see they found a gas can in the burned house and evidence that a flammable liquid had been used in the fire as well as evidence of a fuse===

There had apparently been three previous fires in the building. A lot of the conclusions are circumstantial. This young man would have had a very different life if he had just refused talk to the detective until his daddy had time to call him an attorney.

Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 11:33 am
===House Republicans will introduce legislation (HB 5693) that aims to prevent similar situations from happening.===

I am very excited to see what this Braintrust of Illinois’ finest legal minds comes up with.

Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 11:35 am
He would probably be a good arson investigator.

Comment by FormerParatrooper Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 11:40 am
I firmly believe that the local politics would have shoehorned Simmons into some sort of position with or without a pardon. Asst Public safety chief etc.

That said it’s really hard to believe politics did not get this guy his pardon. That pardon looks really bad now that he’s a fire chief. If one of my son’s did what he did what he did I doubt a pardon would ever be issued.

It’s a fair hit even if local politics would’ve trumped good sense anyway. The 2018 incident in Sauget is esp eggregious as he may have been a prohibited possessor in possetion of a firearm, and no one followed up. Local politics sucks some times.

Comment by Mason born Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 11:44 am
So what is the rest of the story concerning the held up appointments of the Parole Board in the Senate and the three vacancies? Twelve positions, 9 held up and 3 vacant?

This seems to be a running theme with the Pritzker administration in his agencies.

This now pardoned individual previously convicted of arson gets hired as a Fire Chief? After holding the position of Acting Fire Chief for a couple of years starting in 2018-19 before being pardoned in 2021? So a person previously convicted for some serious arson was allowed to be a fireman again before being promoted twice? Am I reading this right?

He was also pardoned for the flashing lights and pulling someone over charge, with the impersonating a police officer charge dismissed?

And the thought process behind all this again is what?

Comment by Louis G Atsaves Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 11:54 am
having a fire chief/arsonist is much more efficient.
arsonist can start the fire and the fire chief can them put out. think of the shortened response time.
Who says JB doesn’t use his management skills in overseeing government in Illinois?

Comment by jim Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 11:56 am
I have gone down the rabbit hole of google results for Herb Simmons, this pardoned arsonist’s daddy, and Herb deserves a whole post of his own. A politically connected professional wrestling promoter that serves as the head of a local emergency management agency pulls strings to get his son a pardon for arson and a job. This is just so ridiculous.

Sometimes it is very hard to take the good ol’ boys of St. Clair County seriously.

Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 12:00 pm
There’s been plenty of coverage of this in the Belleville News-Democrat. This wanna-be chief comes across as a bad actor. Guess there’s still a corrupt old St. Clair County machine.

Comment by Furtive Look Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 12:14 pm
Gov staff, you need to scrutinize and analyze and be ready better.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 12:48 pm
Someone should ask Richard Irvin about the cops killed by COVID-19.

Comment by Google Is Your Friend Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 4:30 pm
Somewhere a good guy like former Ag Dir John Sullivan just laughs.

Comment by Galway Bay Wednesday, Feb 16, 22 @ 5:20 pm
This is last month’s news

Comment by Gdubya Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 9:19 am
Well, if you had to work with a “reformed arsonist” fighting fires, who would you want to cover your back in a fire?
Those 11 firefighters have to think about their safety and the safety of the crew. They want to go home to their families when their shifts are done.

Comment by MaryLouise Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 12:49 pm