Oak Lawn Mayor Sandra Bury is blaming Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s office for circumstances that caused the death of a 12-year-old Oak Lawn girl and is demanding that Foxx resign.
Cire Robinson was in a vehicle struck head on by another vehicle Jan. 20 in the Vittum Park neighborhood of Chicago and was pronounced dead at Advocate Children’s Memorial Hospital less than hour after the 9:35 p.m. collision, according to Chicago police.
Daniel Regalado, 27, of Chicago was charged with reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, police said.
Regalado was out on bond on three different pending felony cases at the time of his arrest, according to Cook County court records, including a charge of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon in August 2019 and a July 2018 charge of reckless discharge of a firearm in Oak Park.
Bury said during Tuesday’s village board meeting that it was outrageous Regalado was free and blamed Foxx’s office. She said the legal system in Cook County has shifted to being more concerned about criminals than innocent victims.
“Kim Foxx has to go,” Bury said. “It’s time. You should resign immediately for your betrayal of this public trust. This beautiful and innocent young girl was riding in a car with her daddy, doing nothing. She was slaughtered by a man who should not be out on the street.”
Bury said because of Regalado’s record, higher bail amounts should have been sought and required.
Foxx’s office issued a statement Wednesday explaining the bail process generally.
“At bail hearings, Cook County prosecutors present to the judge all available information regarding the offender’s criminal history and charges related to the case,” the statement read. “From there, the judge makes the final determination on what happens to the defendant, including whether that individual is a threat to public safety or can be released from custody with bail conditions.
“The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office works to uphold public safety through the fair and efficient administration of justice and continues to prosecute cases to the full extent of the law.”
Bury, who is not running for reelection this April, said Foxx has created a “downward spiral of crime which is destroying our cities.”
Trustee Thomas Phalen agreed, saying Foxx is surrounded by scandal, citing the highly publicized Jussie Smollett case.
“She’s a disgrace, she’s unapologetic and it’s time for her to be called to the carpet,” he said.
Foxx was elected to a second term in November, defeating Republican challenger Pat O’Brien. She won the Democratic primary last March over Bill Conway.
“It’s astounding to me that a majority of the population can vote that in one time, but if we don’t start doing something at the local level, people of all races, it’s going to get worse,” Phalen said.
Trustee Terry Vorderer, a former police officer who is running for mayor of Oak Lawn, said he hopes police officers won’t be demoralized by the state’s attorney’s office not approving felony charges in some cases.
Judge David Navarro set a bail Saturday of $500,000 for Regalado during a bond hearing broadcast live on YouTube. Regalado’s blood alcohol content was recorded at 0.457%, which is nearly six times the legal limit.
Prosecutors said Regalado’s vehicle, a Chevrolet Impala, was going 66 mph in a 30-mph zone. After the head-on collision with the Cadillac Escalade that Robinson was a passenger in, the Impala bounced backward and damaged another vehicle, while another vehicle crashed into the Escalade after not being able to stop in time.
Four people were injured, including Regalado, who dislocated his hip, police said.
Robinson was a sixth grader at Simmons Middle School, and Ridgeland District 122 Superintendent Joseph Matise spoke about her at Tuesday’s village board meeting.
“Cire was an energetic, positive student whose presence in our hallway will be greatly missed,” he said. “The district staff is greatly saddened, as well as outraged, by such a senseless loss. There is now a void in our school district family that cannot be filled.”
An obituary by Blake-Lamb Funeral Home said Robinson enjoyed playing Roblox and board games, making Tik Tok videos, drawing, watching scary movies, watching Animé and playing with her dolls.
A visitation will be held from 2-8 p.m. Sunday at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 4727 W. 103rd St., Oak Lawn. There will be an entombment procession from the funeral home to Chapel Hill Gardens Cemetery at noon Monday with a service and dove release.
Chicago Tribune reporter Megan Crepeau contributed to this article.
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter with the Daily Southtown.
