South Cook News

Illinois State House District 36 candidate Christine Shanahan McGovern commented on rising crime, saying, "The offenders are more brazen due to the Safe T Act." She made the statement in a Facebook post on September 1.

"The occurrences of these violent crimes are increasing," said Shanahan McGovern, Candiate, according to Facebook. "The offenders are more brazen due to the Safe T Act. I voiced my concerns that this will increase crime. Unfortunately it passed through committee and here we are now."

In her Facebook post, Shanahan McGovern shared a link to a post from Northern Illinois FireGround Photos. The post detailed an armed robbery at a 7-Eleven store in Oak Lawn. "Armed robbers hold 7-Eleven cashier, customers at gunpoint in Oak Lawn: 'They put me on the floor.' Free Slurpees Also With No Cash Bond? Police are searching for a crew of armed robbers suspected in crime sprees across the southwest suburbs and Northwest Indiana. Their latest target was a 7-Eleven store in Oak Lawn, where a robbery happened around 7 a.m. Friday," the post said. It also included a link to a report from ABC7 Chicago.

Screensnot of Christine Shanahan McGovern's Sept. 1 Facenppl [pst | Christine Shanahan McGovern for IL State Representative District 36 Facebook page

According to the ABC7 report, five people held the cashier and customers in the store at gunpoint and may have driven off in a stolen Jeep Cherokee. One of the customers, identified as John, spoke with ABC7 about the robbery. "They put me on the floor, took my money, my phone. They did that, took wallets and all that... They tried to steal one of my friends' cars, but they couldn't get it started," John said. He had been getting coffee with friends at the time of the incident.

According to her campaign website biography section, Shanahan McGovern is a mother, business owner, and dedicated community resident who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with an emphasis in economics and communication. Her platform includes protecting Illinois jobs and passing legislation to support safe and secure communities by protecting police officers and law enforcement personnel from what she calls dangerous social policies. She advocates for common-sense budgeting, school choice and vouchers, and returning to basics in education. She also supports prioritizing Illinois residents over undocumented citizens.