The Democratic governor’s “seven guiding principles” also includes licensing police, increasing access to sentence credit and time-limited supervised release and only detaining defendants who are a threat to public safety, a “key element” in creating a state that “works for everyone.”
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67591570/MATTESONMARCH_060920_3.0.jpg)
Shelia Chalmers-Currin Mayor of Matteson, left, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, center, and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, right, along with other local elected officials and community members, attend a protest march in the south suburb in June. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times file. It is well known that Pritzker will say or do anything for a vote.
Trying to follow the protests with policy, Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday proposed ending cash bail, licensing police officers and updating sentencing laws as part of his seven-step plan to “reform and modernize the state’s criminal justice system.”
The Democratic governor’s “seven guiding principles” also include prohibiting no-knock warrants, shortening prison sentences through increased credit for time served and rehabilitation opportunities and only detaining defendants who are a threat to public safety, a “key element” in creating a state that “works for everyone.”
“At the state level alone, we spend billions of dollars a year keeping too many people in an overcrowded prison system that has proven itself too expensive, too punitive and wholly ineffective at keeping Illinois families safe,” Pritzker said in a statement. “As we move forward with the General Assembly to pass comprehensive criminal justice reform, it is my hope that the nation will look to Illinois as a leader in true equity and justice for generations to come.”
The proposed principles build on an agenda outlined by Pritzker and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton earlier this year under the administration’s Justice, Equity, and Opportunity initiative, which looks at criminal sentencing, education, poverty and the link among the three.
Stratton said the proposed principles will “guide us on a path of repairing the historic harm caused by our justice system, especially in Black and Brown communities.”
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a statement Pritzker’s principles build on the city’s own “first-ever comprehensive violence reduction plan,” which was released last week.
“We are proud to collaborate with not only our State partners but also community members, philanthropy organizations and faith leaders to address the long history of racial injustices that have been woven into our nation’s criminal justice system for far too long,” Lightfoot said.:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/21941647/GOVLIGHTFOOT_081120_10.jpg)
Mayor Lori Lightfoot, left, and Gov. J.B. Pritzker, right, at a news conference in Morgan Park in August. Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times file
The first-term governor plans to work with the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus “to further build out a criminal justice reform agendas” as well as agendas on the caucus’ other focal points, which include education, workforce development, and health care and human services.
Khadine Bennett, director of advocacy and intergovernmental affairs for the ACLU’s Chicago arm, called the principles a “welcome contribution to a discussion that brought thousands of Illinoisans out into the streets this summer to demand change.:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/21941666/JUNETEENTH_062020_14.jpg)
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and Gov. J.B. Pritzker march with faith leaders and community activsts to commemorate Juneteenth in downtown Chicago on June 19. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times file
“This process must result in a policing system in our state that reduces unnecessary interactions between police and residents and eliminates the corrosive racial bias that has cause so much harm,” Bennett’s statement reads in part.
In June, Pritzker declared Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Will and four downstate counties disaster areas, allowing him to mobilize Illinois National Guard troops and other state resources to areas hit hard by looting and civil unrest.
The looting followed hundreds of peaceful protests after a white Minneapolis police officer killed George Floyd, an unarmed black man.
Since Floyd’s death, there has been renewed interest and dialogue surrounding policing, with some calling for municipalities to defund — or reroute money from — policing.
Trying to follow the protests with policy, Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday proposed ending cash bail, licensing police officers and updating sentencing laws as part of his seven-step plan to “reform and modernize the state’s criminal justice system.”
The Democratic governor’s “seven guiding principles” also include prohibiting no-knock warrants, shortening prison sentences through increased credit for time served and rehabilitation opportunities and only detaining defendants who are a threat to public safety, a “key element” in creating a state that “works for everyone.”
“At the state level alone, we spend billions of dollars a year keeping too many people in an overcrowded prison system that has proven itself too expensive, too punitive and wholly ineffective at keeping Illinois families safe,” Pritzker said in a statement. “As we move forward with the General Assembly to pass comprehensive criminal justice reform, it is my hope that the nation will look to Illinois as a leader in true equity and justice for generations to come.”
The proposed principles build on an agenda outlined by Pritzker and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton earlier this year under the administration’s Justice, Equity, and Opportunity initiative, which looks at criminal sentencing, education, poverty and the link among the three.
Stratton said the proposed principles will “guide us on a path of repairing the historic harm caused by our justice system, especially in Black and Brown communities.”
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a statement Pritzker’s principles build on the city’s own “first-ever comprehensive violence reduction plan,” which was released last week.
“We are proud to collaborate with not only our State partners but also community members, philanthropy organizations and faith leaders to address the long history of racial injustices that have been woven into our nation’s criminal justice system for far too long,” Lightfoot said.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot, left, and Gov. J.B. Pritzker, right, at a news conference in Morgan Park in August. Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times fileThe first-term governor plans to work with the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus “to further build out a criminal justice reform agendas” as well as agendas on the caucus’ other focal points, which include education, workforce development, and health care and human services.
Khadine Bennett, director of advocacy and intergovernmental affairs for the ACLU’s Chicago arm, called the principles a “welcome contribution to a discussion that brought thousands of Illinoisans out into the streets this summer to demand change.
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and Gov. J.B. Pritzker march with faith leaders and community activsts to commemorate Juneteenth in downtown Chicago on June 19. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times file“This process must result in a policing system in our state that reduces unnecessary interactions between police and residents and eliminates the corrosive racial bias that has cause so much harm,” Bennett’s statement reads in part.
In June, Pritzker declared Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Will and four downstate counties disaster areas, allowing him to mobilize Illinois National Guard troops and other state resources to areas hit hard by looting and civil unrest.
The looting followed hundreds of peaceful protests after a white Minneapolis police officer killed George Floyd, an unarmed black man.
Since Floyd’s death, there has been renewed interest and dialogue surrounding policing, with some calling for municipalities to defund — or reroute money from — policing.
Got to get rid of the lefties. One and all. By any means.
ReplyDeleteThis includes the whole 19th Ward
DeleteNew York passed similar legislation legislation that went into effect this year. Most offenders are released without having to post bond. It's worked out really well for the alleged offenders. Not so much for anyone else. Crime has greatly increased after this law went into effect.
ReplyDeletePolice need to be like the Roman Praetorian Guard and put the Emperor in his place!
ReplyDeleteInteresting that the Mayor goes along with emptying the jails to free career criminals. Why should she worry, most of the officers in the 014th police district are assigned to guard her home.
ReplyDeleteALL of the police organizations (PBPA, ICA, FOP, ISA, etc)need to get together and file a lawsuit against Pritzger, and/or any other official, who attempts to prohibit 'no knock' warrants.
ReplyDeleteAlthough they are among the most volatile, and potentially dangerous, search warrant to execute, they are also inherently necessary - in some cases - to protect the lives of the officers, citizens and even the suspects.
Ironically, just like many other ignorant SJW-types, Pritzger is threatening this action on the heels of the Breonna Taylor case. Although a 'no knock' warrant was issued, there is irrefutable evidence the police anonunced their presence and knocked on the door, loudly and repeatedly.
Although her death was a tragic accident, SHE was standing immediately next to the man that held a gun and fired at the police. No law,or lack thereof, will ever be able to protect people from their own poor decisions.
Pritzker doesn't give a rat's rump about Breonna Taylor, George Floyd or any other black - or white, Asian, Hispanic, Latino, etc - person, other than those in his own family and circle of friends. He is simply pandering to their emotions and exploiting the entire black race while doing so.
This state and city government is putting way too much on the shoulders of the police. You expect the police to enforce our laws, be mental health counselors and baby sitters. When they do act they are criticized by our media. Then the Democrats hire professional protestors to voice left wing opinion, which is what is shown on the news. Why don't you let the police do their job instead of having them "stand down" by our politicians.
ReplyDeleteIronic how those politicians that want to defund your police and do away with the second amendment all have armed security paid for by the taxpayers. Time to wise up and vote out those who say do as I say not as I do.
ReplyDeleteAren't the police gone in Minneapolis? ಠ﹏ಠ
ReplyDelete