The Illinois Senate passed a criminal justice omnibus bill early Wednesday morning after a grueling 20 hours of politicking during Tuesday’s lame duck session. The House followed suit Wednesday morning, clearing the way for the bill to head to the governor.
Sun-Times file
A sweeping police reform bill approved in the waning hours of Illinois’ lame duck legislative session has turned up the heat on the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police to cut a contract deal with Mayor Lori Lightfoot or risk having it imposed on them.
Championed by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, the 764-page bill passed the House and Senate on Wednesday and is headed for Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk.
It doesn’t eliminate qualified immunity for police officers, which would have made it easier for officers to be sued for actions they take on the street.
A criminal justice and police reforms bill that would mean the end of cash bail in Illinois and the introduction of new “police accountability” protocols.
By DeAsia Paige | Belleville News-Democrat
• Jan 13, 2021
Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch, D-Hillside, (right) speaks to Rep. LaShawn Ford, D-Chicago, on Jan. 11 on the floor of the Bank of Springfield Center, the acting Illinois House chamber to ensure COVID-19 precautions. The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus is putting forward a massive bill to reform policing in the state. Justin Fowler / The State Journal-Register, published with permission
Editor’s note: This story was originally published by the Belleville News-Democrat, a news partner of St. Louis Public Radio.
Metro East Black leaders say a far-reaching criminal justice reform bill under consideration this week by Illinois lawmakers represents a long-overdue step toward addressing systemic injustice.
Ill. Senate passes criminal justice reform bill The Illinois Senate passed a criminal justice reform bill early Wednesday morning, January 13. (Source: KFVS) By Marsha Heller | January 13, 2021 at 11:51 AM CST - Updated January 13 at 1:19 PM
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (KFVS) - The Illinois Senate passed a criminal justice reform bill early Wednesday morning, January 13.
Law enforcement groups and Senator Dale Fowler oppose the bill and call it dangerous.
“This bill is a dangerous proposal that makes it easier for offenders to commit violent crimes, eliminates cash bail and endangers the safety of our citizens,” said Sen. Fowler in a released statement.
Fowler said lawmakers received the bill in the early hours of the morning and barely had time to review the 764 page document before a vote was taken.