By now, you've probably heard a lot of talk about the SAFE-T Act in Illinois, which includes legislation ending cash bail in the state. But it's not in effect.
A bill that brings sweeping criminal justice and police reform will soon take effect in Illinois, and though much focus has been centered on the elimination of.
Senator Terri Bryant Reacts To The Signing Of The Criminal Justice Reform Bill
Governor JB Pritzker signed the Criminal Justice and Police reform Bill Monday, but some local lawmakers are still opposed to it.
House Bill 3653 brings a lot of changes to Illinois including no cash bail, body camera requirements training and use of force.
State Senator Terri Bryant, who is a critic of the legislation and led the opposition to it while she was still in the house, says the bill contains 99 articles spread over more than 700 pages.
“The legislature decided to do it in lame duck so the only option I have is to sign it or not, and so there is an option he could veto this bill and we could in the next couple of months between now and the end of May we could actually run something that is legitimate, run something that does have reforms that are workable.”
House Bill 3653, authored by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, was passed by the General Assembly last month. It s February, and we re celebrating Black History Month. Black History is about monumental moments and movements that serve as catalysts for change. Today is both, said Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. I ve come to realize that one of the best ways to celebrate black history is by doing everything that we can to protect black futures and House Bill 3653 aims to do just that.
Part of the significant changes are new police training policies, including crisis intervention and de-escalation tactics, police accountability, transparency in law enforcement and the rights of detainees and prisoners, according to Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr., who sponsored the bill.
Detainees, prisoners and all those who interact with police officers will have the expectation of prompt medical care while in custody, with special accommodations made for pregnant women. Charges of resisting arrest must cite a justification for the original arrest that was allegedly resisted against under the measure, as well.
Here s a complete look at the bill and its changes:
Police Accountability
House Bill 3653 includes a number of measures to increase police transparency and accountability, according to Sims. Those include:
Requires reporting on deaths in police custody.
Requires police to provide a predicate offense for resisting arrest. (That is, a reason for why an arrested was occurring in the first place.)