Shorewood Stalker Violates No-Contact Order, Judges Impose SAFE-T-Act Detention

28-year-old Jack Bender arrested again for contacting a teenage girl he was ordered to stay away from

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Jack Bender, a 28-year-old Shorewood resident, has been arrested again for violating a stalking no-contact order. Bender was previously ordered to stay away from a Shorewood family, including their 16-year-old daughter, but he was found to have left a note in the family's mailbox. Two Will County judges have now imposed a SAFE-T-Act detention order, keeping Bender in jail due to the threat he poses to the minor victim.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges local law enforcement and courts face in dealing with repeat offenders who violate protective orders, especially when it involves minors. It also demonstrates the use of the SAFE-T-Act's dangerousness standard to detain individuals who pose a threat to public safety, even when they have not been convicted of a new crime.

The details

According to prosecutors, Bender was previously ordered in April 2025 to stay at least 100 feet away from the Shorewood family and to have no contact with them through any means. However, on February 24, 2026, Shorewood police responded to the family's home after the father found a handwritten note in the mailbox that said "Your Beautiful". Bender admitted to writing the note for the 16-year-old daughter, despite knowing he was prohibited from contacting her. Bender also has pending felony and misdemeanor charges from an incident last year where he struck a deputy police chief and spit at an officer.

  • On April 24, 2025, a Will County judge issued an order of protection for the Shorewood family against Bender.
  • On February 24, 2026, Shorewood police responded to the family's home after Bender left a note in their mailbox, violating the no-contact order.
  • In June 2025, Bender was arrested and taken to the hospital for a mental health exam after taking more than his prescribed medication.

The players

Jack Bender

A 28-year-old Shorewood resident with a history of stalking and violating protective orders, including an order to stay away from a Shorewood family and their 16-year-old daughter.

Will County Judges Art Smigielski and Ken Zelazo

Two Will County judges who imposed a SAFE-T-Act detention order to keep Bender in jail due to the threat he poses to the minor victim.

Shorewood Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that has repeatedly arrested Bender for violating the no-contact order and other criminal charges.

Will County State's Attorney's Office

The prosecutors who filed petitions to deny Bender's pretrial release and revoke his previous release, arguing he poses a threat to the safety of the minor victim.

Chris Rouskey

The Joliet attorney representing Bender in his ongoing criminal cases.

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What they’re saying

“Defendant poses a real and present threat to the safety of (girl's initials listed), a minor. By way of statements made by the defendant, he admitted to officers that he was aware of the stalking no contact order and that he was prohibited from having contact with (her), a minor. Defendant also stated he has contacted (her), a minor in the past.”

— Laura Byrne, Assistant State's Attorney (Patch.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Jack Bender out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges local law enforcement and courts face in protecting vulnerable individuals, especially minors, from repeat offenders who violate protective orders. The use of the SAFE-T-Act's dangerousness standard to detain Bender demonstrates the legal system's efforts to prioritize public safety in these types of cases.