The Chicago office of Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, a Democrat who has spent years advancing sweeping criminal-justice reforms praised by the “Defund the Police” movement, was robbed at knifepoint last week.
Harmon has championed soft-on-crime policies in Chicago to appease Black Lives Matter activists in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
Police say 35-year-old Scott Loeffler entered Harmon’s Constituent Service Office in Oak Park late Friday morning, according to NBC 5 Chicago.
After a brief exchange, a female staffer was suddenly held at knifepoint as the suspect grabbed her phone and fled.
The incident began at 11:11 a.m., and Loeffler wasn’t arrested until 12:51 p.m., nearly two hours later.
The suspect was only caught after the staffer’s husband tracked her stolen phone and alerted authorities.
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office has charged Loeffler with felony armed robbery.
In a statement after the attack, Harmon thanked police and said he was relieved his team was unharmed.
“Their safety is my top priority,” he said, adding there was no indication the crime was politically motivated.
A Leading Advocate of Controversial Anti-Police Reforms
Harmon has spent years championing the very policies critics say have fueled Illinois’ crime epidemic.
He has long worked with the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus to advance a reform agenda rooted in:
- Criminal-justice reform
- Education and workforce development
- Economic equity
- Health care and human services
His website explicitly states that he is “dedicated to ensuring that the laws in Illinois reflect that Black Lives Matter.”
Harmon was also a key supporter of the controversial SAFE-T Act.
The sweeping legislation eliminated cash bail statewide and significantly changed policing standards.
Since the policy was introduced, crime has surged.
Law enforcement groups, prosecutors, and victims’ advocates have warned for years that these reforms weaken accountability and embolden criminals.
Now, as Illinois continues to grapple with violent crime and repeat offenders walking free under the new no-bail framework, the state’s top Senate Democrat finds his own office targeted by an armed robber.
Police continue to investigate the incident.
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