McHenry Times

On September 12, Representative Joe Sosnowski highlighted cases heard by the Illinois Supreme Court, stating, "The Illinois Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in a pair of cases that test the authority of local courts to hold criminal suspects behind bars while they await trial."

"The Illinois Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in a pair of cases that test the authority of local courts to hold criminal suspects behind bars while they await trial," said Sosnowski, State Representative, according to Facebook.

In his Facebook post, Sosnowski shared a link to a Capitol News Illinois article about the arguments that Illinois State Supreme Court justices heard on September 10. The pair of cases focused on two jailed men who sought release from incarceration while they awaited trial. The cases involved an appeal from Damarco Watkins-Romaine and another from Christian Mikolaitis, challenging the Pretrial Fairness Act portion of the SAFE-T Act.

Screenshot of State Rep. Joe Sosnowski's Sept. 12 Facebook post | State Representative Joe Sosnowski's Facebook page

According to Capitol News Illinois, Watkins-Romaine was arrested in January 2023 and released as authorities waited for DNA and fingerprint analysis, which later tied him to a vehicle where he is accused of shooting more than a dozen shots into a vehicle and hitting the female driver multiple times. He turned himself in on August 31. He did not post bond but petitioned for release under the Pretrial Fairness Act in December 2023. The circuit court judge ordered him to remain in jail, and the First District Court of Appeals said he should be released.

In the hearing on September 10, Watkins-Romaine’s lawyer argued that conditions for release had been determined and bond was the only issue. Since cash bond has been abolished, Watkins-Romaine should be released.

Christian Mikolaitis, 19, was arrested in December 2023 on charges of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon after allegedly stabbing someone during a drug deal. According to an ABC7 report, prosecutors said he was a real and present danger to his victim but did not explain why conditions of release would mitigate that risk. Mikolaitis’ attorney said he was taking medication to treat anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder and should be released with conditions like electronic monitoring.

After a lower court ordered Mikolaitis to be held pending trial, David Holland argued on appeal that the state had to prove he would be a threat because no conditions of release could mitigate the danger.

Sosnowski has represented Illinois since being elected to the Illinois General Assembly in 2010. He now represents the 69th District. His political career began with a stint on the DeKalb City Council before moving to Rockford and serving as First Ward Alderman from 2005-2010. He is a graduate of Northern Illinois University, according to his official biography.