Pritzker appoints new Illinois Prisoner Review Board Executive Director after controversy surrounding release of man accused of killing child

CHICAGO — On Monday, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced the appointment of an Executive Director of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board (PRB), a new role that will oversee board operations and training.

James Montgomery, who most recently served as the Director of Administrative Services with the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department in Massachusetts, will serve as the Executive Director of the PRB, pending Senate confirmation.

According to a spokesperson for Pritzker, the new Executive Director will oversee administrative board operations, which includes “the facilitation of additional domestic violence prevention training and other important equity-based training for board members.”

Felony charges filed against man accused in West Side carjacking, attempted robbery

The creation of the position will also reduce the workload placed on the PRB chair, allowing them to focus on leading casework, officials said.

The decision comes only weeks after board chair Donald Shelton and board member Lee Ann Miller resigned after approving the release of convicted felon Crosetti Brand, who has since been charged with the murder of an 11-year-old boy and the stabbing of his pregnant mother

Prosecutors say one day after Brand’s release, March 13, he allegedly fatally stabbed 11-year-old Jayden Perkins and critically injured the boy’s pregnant mother at their Edgewater home.

Brand, who was serving a 16-year sentence in a 2015 case for home invasion, possession of a stolen vehicle, and aggravated domestic battery involving a different victim, was released from Stateville Prison on mandatory supervised release in October 2023.

Man dies by suicide after shooting, manhunt

Perkins’ mother, who had reportedly dated Brand more than 15 years prior, had an active Order of Protection against him and had contacted the parole board after he allegedly sent her threatening text messages on Jan. 30 and gone to her home on Feb. 1.

After she contacted the parole board, Brand was taken into custody again but was released on parole on March 12.

Brand is now facing several felony charges, including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, three counts of home invasion with a dangerous weapon, armed robbery, aggravated domestic battery, unlawful use of a weapon, violation of an order of protection, and a warrant was issued for a parole violation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.