Local News

Multiple Sides Speak Out For And Against Police Reform Bill

As Legislators wrapped up the lame-duck session and a new General Assembly was sworn in, many questions came in concerning one of the more controversial bills that were passed by both the House and the Senate, the police reform bill. Many police stations went on social media to post their frustration with the bill in what many Law Enforcement agencies are saying will make communities less safe. 

 

The Pana Police Department posted to their Facebook page saying that many of the new rules that will be put in place, the department already does including body cameras and training on the use of force. The bill when introduced into law will be introduced in stages so it will not be an overnight change.  This will allow Departments to catch up and have time to get in compliance. 

 

Patrick Windhorst, a Representative of Metropolis in Southern Illinois says that the bill will decrease public safety. 

 

 

Jack Campbell, Sangamon County Sheriff, did not mince words. In a press release issued on Thursday morning, the Sheriff voiced frustration over what he felt would negatively impact safety. 

 

“By now you have heard of the devastating legislation passed in the middle of the night, that will negatively impact your safety.  Law Enforcement agencies, many legislators and partners across the state, fought this legislation. Unfortunately, many uninformed legislators, after changing the bill number to cause confusion, adding more eviscerating language and leaving no time for review, rushed it to a vote.  The sponsors were unable to answer simple questions about their own bill during testimony.” 

 

State Senator Andy Manar, who voted yes for it said in a statement that he had originally opposed the original bill after talking to multiple state agencies but after talking to the bill sponsors they were able to get some parts of the bill amended.  Manar said the original bill “would have eliminated significant collective bargaining rights for law enforcement employees; 2) the bill would have eliminated qualified immunity for law enforcement employees while exercising their sworn duties; 3) the bill would have financially penalized units of local government that do not implement police body cameras under strict parameters (de-funding police departments); 4) the bill would have implemented sweeping changes for pre-trial services for individuals who have been charged with crimes.”

 

Representative Justin Slaughter spoke during the presentation of the bill. He said that it is time for change.

 

 

After many modifications, Senator Manar says that the bill has been changed from what was previously pushed through, preserving collective bargaining rights, qualified immunity for law enforcement was preserved, funding changes were removed, and de-funding a police department’s ability to purchase body cameras was also removed. Because the bill is being put in through stages, some of the bill won’t even go into effect until January 1st, 2023 to give police departments time to buy body cameras and other equipment that they may need to comply with the new law if Governor Pritzker signs it. 

 

The bill will also support victims of crimes by expanding portions of the Crime Victims Compensation Act. While Governor Pritzker, has not come out fully saying that he will sign the bill verbatim, he did release a statement praising the legislation saying, “I've long held that an essential mark of good governance is a willingness to change the laws that have failed the people of Illinois.” 

Townhall Top of the Hour News

Weather - Sponsored By:

TAYLORVILLE WEATHER

Local News

Facebook Feed - Sponsored By: