A staff member working in the district office of Illinois Senate President Don Harmon was robbed at knifepoint on Friday, according to authorities and a statement released by Harmon, as reported [1] by The Gateway Pundit.
The incident occurred just after 11 a.m. inside Harmon’s office on West North Avenue in Oak Park.
Police arrested 35-year-old Scott Loeffler, who allegedly entered the office, produced a knife, and took the staffer’s iPhone. According to the Chicago Tribune, the staffer had allowed Loeffler inside after believing he was a constituent. As she briefly looked away, Loeffler allegedly displayed the knife and took the phone. He then asked, “Do you have a wallet?”
The staffer was able to move into an adjoining room connected to Harmon’s campaign office, where another staff member called 911. Harmon was in another room of the office during the incident. The staffer was not physically harmed.
In a written statement, Harmon addressed the incident and said the robbery did not appear to be politically driven.
“On Friday, a man entered the district office and confronted an employee with a knife. Thank God she is physically unharmed. The suspect is in custody and charged with armed robbery. This incident does not appear to have been politically motivated. I want to thank the Oak Park Police Department for a quick response, and I want to thank my staff for their bravery and unwavering commitment to public service. Their safety is my top priority.”
According to public information, Harmon attended an event last month marking the 10-year anniversary of “Restore Justice,” a criminal-justice advocacy organization.
Harmon has supported a number of criminal justice and policing reform initiatives put forward in Illinois, including policy changes under the SAFE-T Act and measures involving parole eligibility, property seizure rules, and sentencing reforms for certain offenders under age 21.
Loeffler has been charged with armed robbery in connection with Friday’s incident. Oak Park police have not released additional details beyond confirming the arrest.
The district office remains open, and Harmon’s office said staff safety procedures are being reviewed following the incident.
BREAKING: Mugged by reality — staffer to Defund The Police advocate and Illinois Senate President Don Harmon — robbed at knifepoint.
Harmon has legislated some of the most extreme soft-on-crime policies for Illinois and criminal justice reform at the behest of BLM. pic.twitter.com/wttKnRaLfG [2]
— Dapper Detective (@Dapper_Det) November 16, 2025 [3]