Governor JB Pritzker has signed a new sweeping criminal justice reform package into law.
The Governor says the new law ends cash bail in many cases, sets statewide standards on police use of force, requires cops to wear body cameras, diverts low-level drug offenders to treatment programs, and much more.
“This legislation takes a substantial step towards dismantling the systemic racism that plagues our communities, our state, and our nation and brings us closer to true safety, true fairness, and true justice.”
State Senator Jason Plummer minces no words on his opposition. He says the Governor has effectively made our communities less safe, defunded local law enforcement, and endangered the safety of our families.
Plummer notes one central Illinois village is disbanding its police department entirely as the cost burdens of the reform bill weighed heavily over the small community.
Plummer calls it a “terrible anti-law enforcement proposal that will have irreparable consequences for all Illinoisans”. He goes on to say he fears this is just the first of many so-called reforms from the Governor that will threaten the safety of our state and pave the way for future criminal-friendly laws under this administration’s leadership.
The Illinois Law Enforcement Coalition noted by signing the law the Governor chose to listen to a few strident political voices rather than the 120,000 petition signing citizens who plainly saw the bill for what it is. They say the law is a blatant move to punish an entire, honorable profession that will end up hurting law-abiding citizens who plainly saw the bill for what it is. The groups are urging all citizens to remember who supported this law and keep that in mind the next time they look to the police in Illinois for the protection they can no longer provide.
