Republican state senators want to get tough on crime

Posted on October 7, 2021

*State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) spoke during a Zoom news conference Wednesday. (Photo courtesy www.ilga.gov)*

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Senate Republicans say it’s far past time for Illinois to get tough on crime.

During a Zoom news conference Wednesday, lawmakers trained their sights directly at the supermajority Democrats.

“Senate President (Don) Harmon (D-Oak Park) has said he has nothing on his list that is that important to do in the spring session,” said State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet). “He is absolutely wrong. He is deadly wrong. This is so important – the public safety of the people of Illinois – is so important (that) we need to start doing this in veto session,” which starts the week after next.

Rose gave an example of a convict from the Champaign area who was let out of jail a dozen years early, only to almost immediately start robbing gas stations and shoot at least one person.

State Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove) said the bad guys need incentive to be good – such as a minimum ten-year sentence for selling or giving a gun to a felon. And State Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield) wants to reduce the number of crimes for which a suspect may post bail.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

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