Image source: CWB Chicago
Scott Lennox, a 21-year-old man, has been making violent threats against Sen. Darren Bailey, a Republican candidate for Illinois governor.
The Chicago native allegedly called Bailey’s office last Friday.
According to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Lennox left a lengthy voicemail.
The threats
According to a bond proposal from the prosecutor’s office, Scott Lennox left a series of violent threats via voicemails.
“I’m going to skin Darren Bailey alive, making sure he is still alive … and screaming in ******* pain,” Lennox allegedly said.
“I know where he lives, I know where he sleeps, I know where his kids sleep.”
“Yeah, that’s right, so he better kill himself, and if he doesn’t, I am going to kill him,” the voicemail concluded.
The transcript came from a document filed in the Cook County Circuit Court.
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Tracing the calls
The voicemails trace back to Scott Lennox through caller ID.
As a result, the Illinois Secretary of State Police initially interviewed Lennox.
Court documents say he admitted to the call, reading:
“The Illinois Secretary of State Police deemed (Lennox) was not a credible threat and did not arrest (Lennox) or transport him to any location for further questioning.”
The case later went to the Illinois State Police, who arrested Lennox after an interview and examining his phone.
Charges
Scott Lennox appeared in court on Wednesday, facing felony charges of threatening a public official, harassment by electronic communications, and telephone harassment.
However, he was granted a $75,000 bond with electronic monitoring.
Additionally, Lennox is to stay away from Bailey, his family, and associates.
Finally, Scott Lennox is not to post threatening messages online.
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Bailey
Sen. Darren Bailey made a written statement from his campaign addressing the situation.
“Divisive, inflammatory, and misleading rhetoric is driving hatred across our state as some attempt to label political opponents as dangerous threats.”
“Whether we agree or disagree on policies, we are all Americans,” he continued.
“I pray this young man gets the help he needs.”
Despite being opponents, incumbent Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker echoed Bailey’s sentiments.
“The violent rhetoric and division we’re seeing across our country is unacceptable,” he tweeted.
“Hatred in any form has no home in Illinois.”
Apart from being a state senator, Darren Bailey is also a co-founder and former president of a private Christian school.
He was previously the president of the local public school district board of education in Clay County.
According to prosecutors, schools associated with Bailey are under a soft lockdown.
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