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Man who allegedly threatened to kill Gov. Pritzker bails out of DuPage County jail

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Illinois

Steven Woletz, of the 100 block of Jason Court, called the Governor’s Office of Constituent Affairs April 15 and left a voicemail threatening both Pritzker and his mother, according to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Officials allege the 46-year-old man spewed threats and profanities on the voicemail, saying, “F— you and your f—ing mother” and “I’m going to f—ing kill you, you f—ing silly f—ing a–hole.”

The state’s attorney’s office announced the charge against Woletz Wednesday evening. He posted the necessary 10 percent of a $100,000 bond to be released from custody after Illinois State Police arrested him without incident Tuesday afternoon following an investigation.

Pritzker’s mother died more than 40 years ago. Ugh.

And, just saying, but the General Assembly updated the SAFE-T Act last December to include a long list of alleged offenses that are detainable pretrial. One of those was “threatening a public official.” Woletz may not have been allowed out of jail if several state’s attorneys hadn’t sued to block the law.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, May 4, 23 @ 9:48 am

Comments

but, but, but cAsH bAiL mAkEs Us SaFeR

Comment by lol Thursday, May 4, 23 @ 9:51 am
We need to take threats more seriously in this country in general. I’m not saying lock people up forever, but something like mandated counseling or something.

So many violent criminals who murder someone turn out to have a litany of prior complaints against them for threatening behavior, stalking, domestic violence, etc. If there were intervention at a much earlier stage, maybe some later more serious harms could be avoided.

Comment by Homebody Thursday, May 4, 23 @ 9:53 am
So will the ILGOP be condemning this, or will we get a rerun of their response to the Conroy incident? Last time this came up, they wanted new legislative powers in exchange for opposing death threats against their colleagues. What’ll it be this time?

Comment by vern Thursday, May 4, 23 @ 10:02 am
This is absolutely ludicrous, and demonstrates clearly the inequality in the bail system. I also question the $100K bail, it should have been set higher. Are we at least taking away any guns this clown has access to?

Comment by Lincoln Lad Thursday, May 4, 23 @ 10:11 am
== If there were intervention at a much earlier stage, maybe some later more serious harms could be avoided. ==

The Republican response: Encourage everyone to arm themselves with heavy weaponry.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, May 4, 23 @ 10:24 am
–One of those was “threatening a public official.”–

–if several state’s attorneys hadn’t sued to block the law.–

Don’t worry, Jim Glasgow still throws the book at people who complain about him, and annoy his secretary. No threats made, just for annoying him.

From March of last year;
“Elward charged Gabrys with making a phone call to the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office “with the intent to abuse or harass James Glasgow and his receptionists.”

“He would not specifically need anything, [he] just wanted to make complaints about the state’s attorney and the state’s attorney’s office”

A special prosecutor was used for this nonsense, and it eventually ended in a mistrial. The SA office just used their office to put this guy through the ringer, because he was complaining about the SA office, directly to the SA office.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Thursday, May 4, 23 @ 10:26 am
If the guy has any guns they should definitely be seized.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, May 4, 23 @ 10:29 am
Hopefully if he has any guns or other weapons, they can get those away from him. And if he doesn’t have family or friends keeping an eye on him, I hope any neighbors are aware of the situation. His May 22 arraignment can’t come soon enough.

Comment by Baloneymous Thursday, May 4, 23 @ 10:36 am
What judge set this low bail and what is their political party?

Comment by Big Dipper Thursday, May 4, 23 @ 10:44 am
==What judge set this low bail and what is their political party?==

The point is he’d likely still be held if various SA’s, largely Repub, hadn’t sued to stop enforcement of the SAFE-T act.

Comment by low level Thursday, May 4, 23 @ 10:52 am
=== f—ing silly f—ing a–hole===

What an incredibly bizarre phrase. Who inserts “silly” in the middle of that tirade?

Comment by Suburban Mom Thursday, May 4, 23 @ 10:55 am
==The point is he’d likely still be held if various SA’s, largely Repub, hadn’t sued to stop enforcement of the SAFE-T act.==

No my point is if its a Republican judge so much for tough on crime and this could be to spite the Governor.

Comment by Big Dipper Thursday, May 4, 23 @ 11:02 am
In a world of total coocoo, think how hard it must be to get the attention of law enforcement.

Presumed innocent or not, he should still be cooling his heels while he prepares his vigorous defense.

Comment by Occasionally Moderated Thursday, May 4, 23 @ 11:05 am
Is he able to carry out the threat (e.g. does he have a gun)? Did he take any actual steps to carry it out (get a gun, buy ammo, lookup Pritzker’s schedule or a map of Springfield)? Was he intoxicated at the time he made the threat? I guess I’m looking for some information on the seriousness of the threat. I’m guessing people call government offices all the time making weird utterances and threats.

Comment by cermak_rd Thursday, May 4, 23 @ 11:21 am
I don’t understand the references to the SAFE-T Act here. Is the allegation that this judge did not have the discretion, today, to keep this suspect behind bars (or to increase bail), but would have had that discretion if the SAFE-T Act were fully in effect today? That doesn’t seem like it can possibly be true.

Comment by Garfield Ridge Guy Thursday, May 4, 23 @ 11:27 am
“Is he able to carry out the threat (e.g. does he have a gun)? Did he take any actual steps to carry it out (get a gun, buy ammo, lookup Pritzker’s schedule or a map of Springfield)? Was he intoxicated at the time?”

Steven Woletz is charged with the crime of Threatening a Public Official (720 ILCS 5/12-9) and there is compelling evidence of that crime in the form of [checks notes] Steven Woletz’s threat to a public official.

– MrJM

Comment by MisterJayEm Thursday, May 4, 23 @ 11:35 am
The Daily Herald article mentioned alcohol counseling. I’m going to guess the counsel will be for Mr. Woletz to consume less.

Comment by cermak_rd Thursday, May 4, 23 @ 11:37 am
MisterJayEm,
No doubt he is guilty of the crime, I guess I was just wanting to know should I worrying about the governor’s safety.

Comment by cermak_rd Thursday, May 4, 23 @ 11:39 am
“I was just wanting to know should I worrying about the governor’s safety.”

My honest answer is, “Yes, always. But not necessarily due to this.”

– MrJM

Comment by MisterJayEm Thursday, May 4, 23 @ 11:56 am
=No my point is if its a Republican judge so much for tough on crime and this could be to spite the Governor.=

That is the truth all over. In dead red Lee county a 16 year old kid brought a loaded gun to Dixon High School. They found it in his car. The kid was arrested and then released to his parents.

So much for tough on crime Lee County.

Here is the story link.

https://www.mystateline.com/news/local-news/dixon-high-school-student-charged-for-bringing-gun-to-school/

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, May 4, 23 @ 12:40 pm
16 year old’s are juveniles and are typically released to parents.

An active shooter at Dixon High school was shot by a school resource officer several years ago. I doubt they are unaware of the gravity of the situation. Situation normal.

Comment by Occasionally Moderated Thursday, May 4, 23 @ 1:58 pm