By Dave Dahl
SPRINGFIELD – The top Republican in the Illinois House has identified some people who, in his opinion, just don’t understand.
“The people that were involved in drafting the bill – I’m not sure if they understood all of the concepts that were in it,” said House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), a former prosecutor. “Maybe the concepts, but (not) the way it was drafted.”
While proponents say there were numerous hearings and opportunities to comment over the past year or two, Durkin says the fact remains that the final version of the bill was slapped together and voted on literally in the middle of the night, hours before the last General Assembly gaveled out.
Durkin notes that Gov. JB Pritzker, while a lawyer, has no experience as a prosecutor or a defense attorney. Durkin said he will offer to explain the bill to the governor.
Lest you think the police simply oppose any attempt at “reform,” a labor leader from Springfield was on the Zoom call.
“There were things in this bill that were acceptable to law enforcement officers,” said Joe Moon, president of FOP Troopers Lodge 41. “The first responder deflection program, new training; though the new training requires funding.
“So that’s a problem. That’s a problem.”
Another problem, say chiefs of smaller departments, outfitting all sworn officers with body cameras could be cost-prohibitive.
The legislation includes ending cash bail and measures to make police more accountable, though police groups did succeed in preserving their qualified immunity.
Gov. Pritzker is still considering the bill, but, as Durkin’s news conference was going on, said, “I believe there has been grave injustice done to people of color across the nation as well as here in Illinois. That’s one of the reasons why important legislation was introduced during the lame duck session and passed. Many of the provisions of those laws that were passed are things that I campaigned on and believe in, and so I’ll be reviewing the provisions, and I’ll be announcing decisions about them over the coming month or two.”
Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]
