Pritzker skewered as ‘victim of his own’ policy after repeat offender arrested in governor’s backyard

A repeat offender was charged with trespassing at Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s Chicago home over Independence Day weekend, prompting renewed criticism from Republicans and crime-policy critics over the Democrat’s public-safety record.

Dwayne Cortez Milton was arrested on the night of July 4 after he was seen allegedly jumping a fence and entering Pritzker’s backyard. Milton faces a trespassing charge but was released from custody pending trial, ABC 7 Chicago reported. 

Milton was ordered released in the trespassing case, but court documents show he pleaded guilty July 7 in a separate theft case and remains in custody. The suspect was allegedly under electronic monitoring at the time of the trespassing charge and had an extensive criminal history, CWB Chicago reported, citing court records.

Pritzker has been repeatedly criticized for his soft-on-crime policies, including the elimination of cash bail, opposition to mandatory minimum expansions, expanding parole opportunities and sentencing reform. Illinois became the first state to abolish cash bail statewide after Pritzker signed the SAFE-T Act in 2021, following years of Democratic-led criminal justice reform efforts in the state.

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Opponents to the SAFE-T Act have claimed it makes it harder to keep some repeat offenders detained before trial, while supporters say the law prevents wealth from determining whether defendants remain jailed before a trial.

Critics were quick to react on social media, arguing the incident underscored their concerns about Illinois’ criminal justice policies.

"A 10-time convicted felon slips his electronic monitor. The court isn't told for days. He's found in JB Pritzker's own backyard. How many more warnings does Illinois need before we admit the SAFE-T Act is failing," wrote GOP Illinois gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey on X.

"Sorry to hear that, Governor. No one deserves to have their home violated like that. I hope you will take reforming the SAFE-T Act more seriously now," wrote Americans for Prosperity IL state director Brian Costin.

"The Governor is a victim of his own soft on crime policy. He has blood on his hands as many convicted felons continue to commit violent crimes daily," said Illinois Review contributor Mark Weyermuller.

President Donald Trump and Pritzker have repeatedly clashed over its sharply differing approaches to crime as the administration has ramped up their stronger stance deploying National Guard members to back various large cities.

"Governor JB Pritzker should pick up the phone and call me," Trump posted on Truth Social at the end of June after 39 people were injured and 4 were dead in the Windy City over a weekend.

Fox News Digital reached out to Pritzker's office, the Chicago Police Department and the White House for comment.

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Trump and Pritzker’s feud has reached some of its most heated points over the administration's immigration enforcement policies deporting illegal aliens. 

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Pritzker, who is floated as a potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidate, has repeatedly defended Illinois' sanctuary policies and accused ICE agents of targeting "law-abiding" immigrants rather than dangerous criminals.

"I would like them to take real gang members and violent criminals off our streets — like, I would love it," he said in October. "But that’s not what they’re doing. They’re just going after Black and Brown people."