* A bill mandating racial impact statements be attached to proposed criminal offense legislation passed the Senate unanimously today…

Provides that every bill which creates a new criminal offense for which a sentence to the Department of Corrections may be imposed; or which enhances any class or category of offense to a higher grade or penalty for which a sentence to the Department of Corrections is authorized; or which requires a mandatory commitment to the Department of Corrections, shall have prepared for it prior to second reading in the house of introduction a brief explanatory statement or note which shall include a reliable estimate of the probable impact of such bill upon (in addition to the overall resident population of the Department of Corrections and the probable impact which such bill will have upon the Department’s annual budget currently required):

(i) the number of criminal cases per year the bill will affect;
(ii) the members of racial minority groups by ethnicity; and
(iii) any other matter the Department considers appropriate.

Makes a similar change regarding a bill that

(i) creates a new criminal offense for which a commitment to a juvenile detention facility, sentence of probation, intermediate sanctions, or community service may be imposed or
(ii) enhances any class or category of offense to any grade or penalty for which adjudication, commitment, or disposition by a circuit court to the custody of a Probation and Court Services Department may result.

Requires the Director of the Department of Corrections or the Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts to prepare and file the note (currently, upon request of the sponsor of the bill). Makes other changes.

It now moves to the House.

* SJ-R…

Baby crib bumpers were at the center of heated debate in the General Assembly on Tuesday as the House passed a measure banning them.

Rep. Emily McCasey, D-Lockport, introduced House Bill 3761 banning the production and sale of baby crib bumpers – padding for the inside of cribs. It allows for mesh crib liners in lieu of the padding. McCasey’s proposal received stiff opposition, especially from fellow Democratic Rep. Rita Mayfield of Waukegan.

The bill ultimately passed by a 63-48 vote.

McCasey said the bill is designed to battle Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. She said she’s been working with medical experts for years to try and get the bumpers banned.

Go read the rest for an entertaining smack-down contest.

* Progress Illinois…

Last week, the Illinois House unanimously passed a resolution directing the state’s Auditor General to conduct a performance audit of state funds provided to the Chicago-based Kenwood Oakland Community Organization, or KOCO.

The resolution, HR 324, passed through the full House on April 17 by a 105-0 vote. It calls on Illinois Auditor General William Holland’s office to commence a performance audit of state dollars given to KOCO “under contracts or grant agreements” in fiscal years 2010 through 2015 for various purposes, including after school youth programming.

KOCO — a South Side organization that seeks to engage and assist low-income and working families in the Kenwood, Oakland and adjacent neighborhoods in Chicago — received $1.3 million in state funding since fiscal year 2010 and was a “recipient of funds from the Neighborhood Recovery Initiative and Illinois Violence Prevention Authority,” reads the resolution, introduced by State Rep. Frank Mautino (D-Spring Valley). The resolution does not specify the amount of money KOCO allegedly received as part of the state’s now-defunct anti-violence program operated under former Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday morning, KOCO’s Executive Director Jawanza Malone said his group was blindsighted by the resolution, co-sponsored by state Reps. Jack Franks (D-Woodstock), Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton), David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills) and Christian Mitchell (D-Chicago).

Rep. Mitchell ran against the former KOCO executive director last spring and she plans to run against him again next year.

This isn’t just a bill, it’s a political knee-capping.

…Adding… From a press release…

The Illinois House today approved a measure State Rep. David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills) sponsored to put the brakes on red light camera systems in Illinois.‎

The legislation, House Bill 173, prohibits non-home rule communities from enacting or continuing to enforce local red light camera ordinances starting on 1/1/17. The House approved HB 173 79-26.

“There is growing evidence that red light cameras actually do more harm than good,” said Rep. McSweeney. “For many communities, red light cameras have become more about revenue than about keeping people safe.”

HB 173 is being sponsored in the Senate by Senator Duffy (R-Lake Barrington).

As you’ll recall, Sen. Duffy is no stranger to red light cams.

* Related…

* VIDEO: State Rep. Mark Batinick Gives Reasons Why HB 2542 is Wrong

* Fed Up with Jet Noise? Call Your State Representative, Group Urges