Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey and Livingston County Sheriff Tony Childress are among a group of Illinois sheriffs saying a recent Illinois Department of Corrections policy change means convicted felons who aren't U.S. citizens are being released with no notice to local law enfocrement.  Downey says "it's dangerous and needs to be reversed." Too many of these felons, Downey said, have been involved in very dangerous crimes and this policy is a real risk to the public.

Sheriff Childress said he wasn't made aware of the change and his office is next door to the Pontiac Correctional facility.  Childress said he's dumbfounded to learn of this without evena phone call.  He said a safe transfer is needed, but instead we have the state aiding and abetting criminals.The policy, he said, creates too much risk for families and law enfocrement officers.

Several lawmakers were present at a news conference to show support for the law enfocrcement community.  There's been no response from the governor's office.

94.1 WGFA