Governor Rauner and members of the General Assembly today discussed bipartisan legislation to reform Illinois’ criminal justice system. The three bills came from recommendations by the Governor’s Criminal Justice and Sentencing Reform Commission.
“Today we are taking action to reform the criminal justice system in Illinois,” Governor Rauner said. “This package of bills takes the first steps to break the cycle of recidivism, by aiming to reduce both prison admissions and the length of someone’s prison stay. I thank the legislative sponsors for their work on these important pieces of legislation.”
The three bills deal with judicial sentencing, electronic monitoring and providing offenders ID cards when leaving prison. The proposed legislation includes:
· SB 3164 requires review of a pre-sentencing report, as well as an explanation of why incarceration is appropriate for offenders with no prior probation sentences or prison convictions prior to sentencing. Last year, nearly 60 percent of new prison admissions for Class 3 or 4 felonies had no prior convictions for violent crimes. Sending low-level offenders with no prior probation or other convictions inefficiently uses prison resources and potentially makes low-level offenders more susceptible to reoffending. This legislation is sponsored by Sen. Michael Connelly and Rep. Brian Stewart.
· SB 3294 expands the use of electronic monitoring to help transition offenders back into society. This will increase public safety by more effectively focusing IDOC’s supervision and programming resources to reduce recidivism. This legislation is sponsored by Sen. Kwame Raoul and Rep. Elgie Sims.
· SB 3368 requires the Secretary of State and the Illinois Department of Corrections work together to provide state identification so offenders can transition into society more easily. This legislation is sponsored by Sen. Karen McConnaughay and Rep. John Cabello.
“Criminal justice reform is an essential step towards reducing the number of people incarcerated in the Illinois,” State Sen. Michael Connelly (R-Wheaton) said. “Governor Rauner’s administration is following the lead that has been put into place by several southern Republican governors; including Governor Nikki Haley of South Carolina and former Governors Bobby Jindal of Louisiana and Rick Perry of Texas were the leaders of this movement, who reformed their criminal justice systems.”
“I am committed to reforming Illinois’ criminal justice system and applaud Governor Rauner for his support in this historic endeavor,” State Rep Brian W. Stewart (R-Freeport) said. “As a former law enforcement officer I have witnessed many needed changes to the current system. The bipartisan bills we have developed will hopefully set the standard for other states to follow as we work towards meaningful reform.”
“The work of the Criminal Justice and Sentencing Reform Commission is furthering shared goals of reducing recidivism, strengthening communities ravaged by both crime and the effects of excessive incarceration, using resources efficiently and expanding best practices backed by solid data,” State Sen. Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago) said. “The legislative package we are putting on the table today is another encouraging step forward, but there is much work left to be done, and these collaborative efforts must continue.”
“The introduction of these first few measures mark the beginning of our long journey to reform our failing criminal justice system,” State Rep. Elgie Sims (D-Chicago) said. “These are excellent ideas that we’ve worked on in a bipartisan way to correct the problem of an out-of-date justice system in Illinois. I look forward to continuing to work with colleagues from both sides of the aisle to install even more recommendations from the Criminal Justice and Sentencing Reform Commission in order to move Illinois closer to a more fair and responsible system.”
“Ensuring public safety remains a top legislative priority for me, which is why I am supporting Gov. Rauner’s criminal justice reform proposal that will help keep violent offenders off the streets, reduce recidivism, and assist offenders in successful re-entry,” said State Sen. Karen McConnaughay (R-St. Charles). “As a sponsor of Senate Bill 3368, I believe it is extremely important that former offenders are issued a state identification card that will help them successfully transition back into society.”
Really good stuff in there and I’m glad to see the governor is finally trumpeting these proposals.
- Jeff Trigg - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 12:21 pm:
Legalize pot, you grass bowls.
- Jack Stephens - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 12:24 pm:
SB3164 speaks to my point about the complete and total waste of taxpayer dollars the prisons are.
Bruce…when are you going after the Prison Unions? My *sandwich artist* at the local sub shoppe makes minimum wage with no bene’s. Why dont those same people in prisons get paid the same? Then we’d have more money for education. You’d think a smart businessman like yourself would have already figured this out.
I have to send my message for you here since you have no email.
- Juvenal - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 12:28 pm:
More like this please governor.
Bipartisanship.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 12:30 pm:
Gee, see what happens when you put aside those poison pills.
- @MisterJayEm - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 12:45 pm:
Just give him a minute people. With a little time, I’ll bet Jack can puzzle this one out for himself.
– MrJM
- D.P.Gumby - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 12:50 pm:
and no former offender may join a union….
- Former Hoosier - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 1:20 pm:
I was a psychologist at the Indiana State Prison. When inmates are released, ensuring they have follow-up services is imperative. Dept. of Justice statistics show that at least 56% of inmates in state prisons have a serious mental illness. The rates are higher in county jails. If you don’t have good follow-up services in place, the likelihood of reoffending increases. National Institute of Justice stats show that 67.8% of inmates re-offend within 3 years of release; 76.7% reoffend within 5 years.
Ensuring that inmates have a state id upon their release is an important step. However, given the fact that mental health services in this state have been gutted, I doubt that those released offenders will receive the services they need. Additionally, these offenders are at high risk of homelessness and other problems that will not be addressed due to the decimation of social service programs throughout the state.
- @MisterJayEm - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 1:33 pm:
These reforms are welcome, but I can’t help but wonder how much more money would be saved and how many more people would be kept out of prison if just one of the programs highlighted by Emily Miller weren’t gutted by the lack of a state budget:
A governor genuinely concerned about “breaking the cycle of recidivism” might notice the obvious connections, but alas…
– MrJM
- Allen D - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 1:36 pm:
- D.P.Gumby - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 12:50 pm:
–and no former offender may join a union…–
When they pass it to where one isn’t mandated to join a union to have the job, it will be a non-issue.
- JoanP - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 1:36 pm:
“SB 3164 requires review of a pre-sentencing report, as well as an explanation of why incarceration is appropriate for offenders with no prior probation sentences or prison convictions prior to sentencing.”
Pre-sentence reports are already required in all felony cases, unless there is an agreed-upon sentence.
Judges are already supposed to put their reasons for a sentence on the record. I’m not sure how this changes anything in that regard.
And I echo Former Hoosier’s comments about follow-up services. All well and good to talk about transitioning people back into society, but when you gut the programs that would help them do that, merely giving them IDs won’t help.
Additionally, programs that assist inmates in dealing with addiction and mental health issues, and in acquiring USEFUL skills while incarcerated, need to be expanded, not cut.
- Jack Stephens - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 2:04 pm:
Prison Workers are in a Union with Free Government Pensions and Healthcare.
But Bruce is too chicken to take on Prison Unions.
He is obsessed with the Chicago Teachers.
- Demoralized - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 2:20 pm:
Jack:
Let it go already.
- TD - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 3:04 pm:
Given Rauner’s dismantling of this state’s social service community, and criminal justice reform proposed by him feels disingenuous. These services are lifelines for keeping people out of jail on the front and back end.
- Jack Stephens - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 3:12 pm:
@demoralized:
Last I looked the 1st Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America (My Country) protects my right to Free Speech.
- TD - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 3:20 pm:
Seems like when I attempt to write a second comment on a blog post here, it doesn’t show up and says “duplicate entry” if I try again.
- Demoralized - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 3:48 pm:
Jack:
Eat a Snickers. You’ll feel better.
- Mark Sammins - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 3:54 pm:
Thanx for posting Jack. I appreciate all your comments.
I agree that something needs to be done with Criminal Justice reform and to rollback the Unions in prisons.
- Politix - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 4:21 pm:
@MJM: You nailed it. His starvation (and ultimate dismantling) of the evidence-based, data-driven Adult Redeploy Illinois program also flies in the face of his so-called criminal justice priorities. I honestly don’t believe in his heart of hearts that he even cares about criminal justice reform. Criminal justice reform is a national GOP cookie cutter platform. Rauner’s just lucky that there are so many brilliant, authentic reformers in IL that are passionate enough to see it through.
I work in the field and this announcement kind of popped up out of nowhere. I suspect it dropped today of all days to counterbalance the senate’s MAP grant override.
- Steve Schnorf - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 4:49 pm:
I think a fair amount of the prison understaffing could be solved if the state no longer accepted prisoners with fewer than 12 honest months left to serve.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 4:51 pm:
Died in the house 69-48
- IL17 - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 4:51 pm:
Carefully check for the poison pills that will be buried in each piece.
No compromises can be included anything from Rauner’s playbook can be included.
- Independent retiree/lawyer/journalist - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 4:58 pm:
You can gauge progress in small measures, I suppose, though beware of the likelihood that there are some of Rauner’s poison pills in the fine print.
Even without any poison pills, this sounds like fluff. Not going to make any difference in the prison population. Judges will honor their provision in the breach.
- Payback - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 6:03 pm:
Legalize marijuana, not just decriminalize it. Pardon all marijuana offense prisoners with no prior felonies or history of violence. Clear out the cells.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 6:03 pm:
Didn’t I read somewhere that the reason we’re enjoying such low crime rates today, is primarily BECAUSE of the stronger incarceration rules (like 3 strikes) passed in the 90’s? Obviously, if you can get non-violent people out of jail and back into society, wonderful. But please don’t let non-redeemable felons out of prison just because it’s expensive to keep them there. I remember when 800 murders a year in Chicago was the norm.
- Lynn S. - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 11:05 pm:
Steve Schnorf, Jeff Trigg, Payback: +1 each
Former Hoosier also makes some really good points.
- Suni - Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 8:22 am:
Why not take a look at the long term inmates and consider them for good time/early release? Some inmates have been inside for 15,20,25 plus years. Take a look at their records, see what they’ve accomplished while doing their time and give additional good time. Instead the State gives good time and early release to those who have little time, not enough time to learn from their mistake nor did they use their time wisely. Many have furthered their education and bettered themselves for a future in society when their time is up. This would be a great way to give them a second chance, if they’ve earned it as well as clear out some of those prisons.
- RNUG - Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 8:52 am:
== I honestly don’t believe in his heart of hearts that he even cares about criminal justice reform. ==
He cares about it as a means to an end. Reducing prisoners will let him close prisons, which will save money and reduce the number of union employees.
- Lupine - Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 9:21 am:
JoanP, thank you for pointing this out to those who were not aware.
Also “60 percent of new prison admissions for Class 3 or 4 felonies had no prior convictions for violent crimes”, don’t Class 3/4 felonies require prison sentences? I mean from what I have seen in the Illinois statutes, they state a range for a prison term? And aren’t judges required to follow what the legislature put into the statutes?
Could someone explain please?
- Lupine - Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 9:29 am:
One more thing, people should search on “specialty courts” or “problem-solving courts” because many Illinois counties have drug/mental health courts already in place that focus on dealing with the issues underlying criminal behavior. Too bad more funds aren’t earmarked for these kinds of programs.
- Independent retiree/lawyer/journalist - Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 6:06 pm:
—Also “60 percent of new prison admissions for Class 3 or 4 felonies had no prior convictions for violent crimes”, don’t Class 3/4 felonies require prison sentences? I mean from what I have seen in the Illinois statutes, they state a range for a prison term? And aren’t judges required to follow what the legislature put into the statutes?
Could someone explain please?—
Only Class X and so-called Super X convictions [think Murder] require prison. Potential sentences are described in a range from the minimum prison to the most. But the minimum is probation, which usually is presumed [subject to a variety of exceptions].
Yes, judges are required to follow what’s in the law.
- Independent retiree/lawyer/journalist - Thursday, Mar 3, 16 @ 6:10 pm:
—One more thing, people should search on “specialty courts” or “problem-solving courts” because many Illinois counties have drug/mental health courts already in place that focus on dealing with the issues underlying criminal behavior. Too bad more funds aren’t earmarked for these kinds of programs.—
You’re absolutely right, that specialty courts exist throughout the state, and that the governor should recognize that among his hostages are courts that are an important part of criminal-justice reform, the people who should be funneled through mental-healty, drug and veterans’ courts, and the agencies that provide the needed services. The association that can provide you with all the information you need is the Illinois Association of Problem-Solving Courts [ILAPSC], which has a website.