WBGZ Radio 1/29/2021 |
By Greg Bishop - Illinois Radio Network
Members of the Illinois law enforcement community and House Republicans are urging the governor to veto a sweeping bill reforming the state’s system of justice. Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he plans a thorough review.
The 700-page bill passed the legislature in the final hours of the previous General Assembly. It was one of several pillars part of the Legislative Black Caucus agenda.
“It is no secret that there is a significant problem with the incarceration and criminalization of Black Americans, and this reckoning is long overdue,” said state Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago. “This legislation is about confronting, addressing and dismantling the systemic racism that our criminal justice system is rooted in, and is inherent in our society. These critical reforms cannot wait. The time is now to create a criminal justice system that works for everyone.”
House Republicans on Wednesday urged Gov. J.B. Pritzker to veto a sweeping criminal justice bill passed by the Legislature earlier this month that they say will create “major public safety issues.”
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin said the state must “thoroughly and carefully address police reform and criminal justice reform. It is the right thing to do.”
“I believe no person should have to live in fear of their government, and we must address those issues,” the Western Springs Republican said in a Zoom news conference Wednesday. “House Bill 3653 doesn’t do it. In short, it is a confusing, inoperable and contradictory attempt to reform policing and the criminal justice system.
(The Center Square) – Members of the Illinois law enforcement community and House Republicans are urging the governor to veto a sweeping bill reforming the state’s system of justice. Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he plans a thorough review. .
Pritzker will review criminal justice reform bill
Greg Bishop The Center Square
Jan. 28, 2021
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The 700-page bill was an initiative of the Legislative Black Caucus.
“It is no secret that there is a significant problem with the incarceration and criminalization of Black Americans, and this reckoning is long overdue,” said state Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago. “This legislation is about confronting, addressing and dismantling the systemic racism that our criminal justice system is rooted in, and is inherent in our society. These critical reforms cannot wait. The time is now to create a criminal justice system that works for everyone.”
House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, said there’s a place for reform, but not with language that didn’t get properly vetted. He urged Pritzker to veto the bill.
Rich Hein, Pat Nabong/Sun-Times files
House Republicans on Wednesday urged Gov. J.B. Pritzker to veto a sweeping criminal justice bill passed by the Legislature earlier this month that they say will create “major public safety issues.”
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin said the state must “thoroughly and carefully address police reform and criminal justice reform. It is the right thing to do.”
“I believe no person should have to live in fear of their government, and we must address those issues,” the Western Springs Republican said in a Zoom news conference Wednesday. “House Bill 3653 doesn’t do it. In short, it is a confusing, inoperable and contradictory attempt to reform policing and the criminal justice system.