A judge partially reinstated the Highland Park parade shooter’s phone privileges during a court hearing Wednesday ahead of the accused killer’s trial, which remains scheduled for next year.
Robert E. Crimo III, 23, of Highwood, faces 21 counts of first-degree murder, 48 counts of attempted murder and 48 counts of aggravated battery with a firearm.
Crimo appeared for a brief case management conference on Wednesday before Lake County Judge Victoria Rossetti.
The judge said a scheduling conference was held between the attorneys in the case on Monday.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Ben Dillon said his office had tendered supplemental discovery, including photographs and videos, to Crimo’s defense attorneys since the last court hearing.
Dillon also said both sides had agreed on modifying a December court order that revoked Crimo’s phone, tablet and internet privileges in the Lake County Jail.
The two sides presented an agreed order that would partially reinstate the privileges to allow Crimo to make phone calls to his parents, sister and brother.
Rossetti granted the order, which will remain in effect until the next court hearing.
The judge scheduled that hearing for 10 a.m. on May 29.
Crimo was previously in the Administrative Segregation Unit (ASU) of the Lake County Jail following two separate rule violations.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said Crimo III verbally threatened a correctional officer in November and then in December used the PIN of another inmate to make a telephone call at a time when his phone privileges were suspended.
In February, the judge officially set Crimo’s trial for February 24, 2025.
The case was previously scheduled for a February 2024 trial after Crimo decided to represent himself in December, at which time he demanded a speedy trial.
The Lake County Public Defender’s Office was reappointed to the case in January.
Crimo has been held in the Lake County Jail without bond since July 6, 2022.
Prosecutors previously said Crimo admitted to “looking down his sights” of his Smith & Wesson M&P 15 semi-automatic rifle before opening fire on the crowd on July 4, 2022, near Second Street and Central Avenue in Highland Park.
Crimo told investigators he fired two full 30-round magazines before loading a third 30-round magazine and firing, Dillon said.
Seven people were killed and dozens of others were shot. 83 spent shell casings were recovered at the scene.