Bond upheld for Elgin man who threatened judge

A Kane County judge refused to reduce bond Thursday for an Elgin man who threatened another judge at a recent court appearance.

Alex Barrera is bi-polar and was off his medication last month when he threatened to "pop" an Elgin Branch Court judge while making a gunlike gesture with his hand, his attorney, Liz Lovig, said.

Although Barrera, 23, is now back on the medication, according to his attorney, Judge James C. Hallock said at a hearing in St. Charles that he wasn't comfortable with lowering his $525,000 bond.

"The court feels he is a danger to the public," Hallock said.

The judge cited Barrera's extensive criminal history, which includes convictions for aggravated battery to a peace officer and domestic battery, in denying the request.

Lovig argued that Barrera is a longtime Elgin resident who has a landscaping job and supportive family to look out for him if he is released from the county lockup.

But Hallock said not even electronic home monitoring would be "sufficient" in guaranteeing the safety of the community.

Barrera, of the 400 block of Columbia Avenue, made the statements that led to charges of threatening a public official at an April 23 court hearing on an unrelated theft charge. He did not speak at Thursday's appearance, but Lovig said he "has no intention of hurting the judge or anyone involved."

The case was continued to June 4.