* Jeremy Gorner at the Tribune…
With Republicans hammering the statewide spike in crime as their top election year issue, Democratic state legislators are being forced to defend last year’s sweeping criminal justice legislation and have opened the door to adding crime-fighting proposals to the agenda of this year’s condensed session in Springfield.
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch was vague about what measures could be under consideration, but acknowledged a need to address increases in crimes like carjackings and organized retail theft.
“I can’t talk to you about specifics 11 days into session. But I can tell you that conversations are already taking place on, you know, a possible crime package, anti-crime package,” the Hillside Democrat said in a telephone interview this week to mark his first year as the General Assembly’s first Black House speaker.
“It’s being done with all stakeholders involved. And we’re just getting started. But that’s certainly something that’s high on our priority list,” Welch said.
I took a really quick look around Twitter this morning to see what some of Welch’s caucus members are saying.
* Strong ally of the governor…
…Adding… Rep. Croke introduced this bill yesterday…
Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Adds as “excluded offenses” attempted first degree murder, reckless homicide, aggravated vehicular hijacking in which the defendant was armed with a firearm or other dangerous weapon, being an armed habitual criminal, and any offense that requires the defendant to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration Act. Effective immediately.
Co-sponsors so far include Democratic Reps. Ann Williams, Eva Dina Delgado, Jaime M. Andrade, Jr. and Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar.
* Progressive agrees to more money for cops…
* Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) letter to her constituents about her priorities in the coming year…
As we begin the new year, I am hopeful that 2022 will be better and brighter – and bring some resolution to the many significant challenges we face as a city, state and nation.
At the top of the list is the surge in violent crime - the issue I hear most about from constituents. The past year was one of the most violent on record in Chicago, and almost 800 homicides were recorded by CPD – the most in 25 years. I stand with you, as both a representative and resident, and am committed to doing whatever I can to keep our communities safe.
Toward that end, I am working with local aldermen, colleagues at the state level, and the law enforcement community to identify and implement solutions, including directing additional resources and tools to address surges in criminal activity such as shootings and carjackings and ensuring we have policies in place to hold violent gun offenders accountable.
…Adding… But Welch is so far shooting down any suggestions of reversing course on things like cash bail…
Welch said he remained a supporter of cash bail elimination and cautioned against tying a measure that hasn’t yet taken effect to the rise in violence.
- Perrid - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 11:52 am:
Keep people in jail and shove more money to the cops and claims victory. Same as it ever was.
- Steve - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 11:54 am:
-to address surges in criminal activity such as shooting-
Who could oppose a minimum sentence of 20 years in jail for carjacking or another weapons charge?
- Dan Johnson - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:00 pm:
Steve –
The challenge is making punishments swift and certain, not severe.
Clearing all cases is far more impactful than an additional decade of imprisonment.
Speedy trials, actual arrests, that’s the task ahead of us. Not longer sentences for the (relatively few who are identified, arrested, charged and convicted.
- Get real - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:00 pm:
“Who could oppose a minimum sentence of 20 years in jail for carjacking or another weapons charge?”
People who don’t think taking a car is the same as stabbing someone to death?
People who know this won’t do a thing?
- Amalia - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:01 pm:
Welch is opposed to the elimination of cash bail, but there has to be a big fix because people are getting out awaiting trial and bad things are happening. CWBChicago keeping a list. Percentages are not victims. Anecdotes on this topic play large. and with NYC in the midst of a throw down between the new police chief and the memo of the DA and the new NY legislative measures…. criticized even on Law and Order SVU…Democrats have to figure this out or pay at the polls.
- Cheryl44 - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:02 pm:
What Dan and Get said.
- Montrose - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:03 pm:
“Welch said he remained a supporter of cash bail elimination and cautioned against tying a measure that hasn’t yet taken effect to the rise in violence.”
This reminds me of the cries from the right claiming that “defund the police” work has caused a rise in crime, when next to no cities have done any actual defunding.
- SWIL_Voter - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:04 pm:
== Who could oppose a minimum sentence of 20 years in jail for carjacking or another weapons charge?==
People who want to solve a problem instead of just preening for the cameras. Mandatory minimums is the approach we’ve taken for decades. It led to us being the most incarcerated country on earth, and it obviously didn’t work if we’re still talking about it.
- Donnie Elgin - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:07 pm:
Welch and the D’s are now captive to the “Pretrial Fairness Act” Frankenstein that they created just last year
“Limits pretrial incarceration since only individuals arrested on qualifying charges will be detained pretrial and only if the judge determines they would be a high flight risk or a threat to another individual”
- SWIL_Voter - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:24 pm:
== CWBChicago keeping a list.==
Wow they have a time machine to peer into 2023 when the Pretrial Fairness Act takes effect? That’s so neat
- Ares - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:25 pm:
Many crimes are never solved, which requires more funding for police, and more of our “best and brightest” going into local law enforcement, to solve cases. There also needs to be a conversation regarding striking a balance between keeping habitual criminals from committing more crimes and avoiding mass incarceration. The GOP appears incapable of an intelligent discussion, while the Democrats are reluctant to speak about the subject, either.
- DuPage Saint - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:26 pm:
There are plenty of laws on the books it just depends on what you charge that makes a difference
- phenom_Anon - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:49 pm:
=This reminds me of the cries from the right claiming that “defund the police” work has caused a rise in crime, when next to no cities have done any actual defunding.=
The big difference here is that Cook County had had bail reforms in place since 2017, which has led to no cash bail in many instances. So something similar has already taken effect, and that is what people are referencing.
- Three Dimensional Checker - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:51 pm:
Good for Speaker Welch for showing leadership on this issue. I would guess this turns into a big omnibus anti-crime bill that includes some things for progressive to like too.
- Google Is Your Friend - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:54 pm:
- Dan Johnson - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:00 pm:
Why pursue effective, evidence-based, and modern policy when you can repeat the failed policies of the past?
- SaulGoodman - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:55 pm:
**Welch and the D’s are now captive to the “Pretrial Fairness Act” Frankenstein that they created just last year**
Cool… please tell us how many people have been released rather than held in jail since the bill passed.
- Shytown - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:56 pm:
First, cash bail hasn’t even been implemented yet. So that has zero ties to the uptick in crime. Second, it seems reasonable that restrictions on electronic monitoring are put on those who are charged with committing violent crimes. So let’s take common sense steps and avoid irrational ones that play into the worst of our fears and focus instead on also funding solutions that are focused on prevention. Everyone wants to jump all in when crime goes up and we feel threatened in our communities, but we are awfully quiet when this is happening and black and brown communities and nary a peep to push to invest in a demonstrable way that would prevent people from getting in trouble in the first place. Again let’s focus on common sense approaches.
- Chicagonk - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:57 pm:
Preckwinkle should be the one getting more criticism. When Preckwinkle went after Judge Toomin, it was put out in the open that she wants the courts to bend to her political views. And with the way slating and court appointments work, the court system in Chicago is only going to continue to get more liberal.
- Elliott Ness - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:59 pm:
Ya think? Too little and too late perhaps! Great issue for GOP
- Unconventional wisdom - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 1:10 pm:
=- Get real - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 12:00 pm:
“Who could oppose a minimum sentence of 20 years in jail for carjacking or another weapons charge?”
People who don’t think taking a car is the same as stabbing someone to death?=
And it is not the same. The latter should receive a real life imprisonment sentence. No parole ever.
- charles in charge - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 1:12 pm:
==Cool… please tell us how many people have been released rather than held in jail since the bill passed.==
For the millionth time, the bond provisions of the bill will not even take effect until January 2023. Reading is fundamental.
- SWIL_Voter - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 1:15 pm:
== And it is not the same. The latter should receive a real life imprisonment sentence. No parole ever.==
You should defend the decades of similar “tough on crime” policies that led to us being the most heavily incarcerated country on earth. Has it worked in the past? Is there any indication such policies will solve a problem now?
- Google Is Your Friend - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 1:24 pm:
- Unconventional wisdom - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 1:10 pm:
Illinois doesn’t have parole. Try again next time.
- 4 percent - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 1:33 pm:
Politics.
Check out Croke’s twitter account and you’ll see she’s getting blown up by progressives but she needs to address crime concerns from the yuppies living near Wrigley Field because crime is on their doorstep.
The bill won’t pass or see the light of day but you’ll see this headline every campaign mail piece. Its why people are cynical.
- phenom_Anon - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 1:33 pm:
=For the millionth time, the bond provisions of the bill will not even take effect until January 2023. Reading is fundamental.=
For the millionth time, bail reform is already in place for Cook County. The new bill expands it and takes it statewide. So yes, people are already seeing what happens when more people are released without bail.
- Donnie Elgin - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 1:34 pm:
Of course, the bail elimination does not kick in till January 1, 2023. But the Dem leadership in cook county is not waiting …
During Foxx’s first three years as the county’s top prosecutor, her office dropped all charges against 29.9% of felony defendants, a dramatic increase over her predecessor, the Tribune found. For the last three years of Anita Alvarez’s tenure, the rate was 19.4%.
Kim Foxx drops more felony cases as Cook County state’s attorney than her predecessor, Tribune analysis shows - August 10, 2020
- SWIL_Voter - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 1:39 pm:
== For the millionth time, bail reform is already in place for Cook County. ==
This is such a bizarre comparison I have to assume you’re being intentionally deceptive by using the word “reform,” which is what cook county did in 2017, instead of “ending cash bail,” which is what the state is doing come next year. Ain’t gotta lie to kick it
- Unconventional wisdom - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 1:55 pm:
@Google is your Friend
Guess these people don’t exist. Try again next time.
Parole Police Compliance Checks
As part of the parole monitoring efforts, the Parole Division has increased the number of parole compliance check operations throughout the state. The early morning operations conducted throughout Illinois help to ensure parolees are complying with the requirements of their parole. Parole agents and Division of Investigations and Intelligence partner with municipal, county, city, state and federal law enforcement agencies in conducting the operations. Through this concentrated effort of law enforcement teamwork, parolees are brought in to local police stations and processed through parole interviews and drug testing. The Parole division is committed to cooperative efforts with compliance checks, Project Safe Neighborhoods and other local law enforcement efforts.
https://www2.illinois.gov/idoc/parole/Pages/ParolePoliceComplianceChecks.aspx
- phenom_Anon - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 2:20 pm:
=This is such a bizarre comparison I have to assume you’re being intentionally deceptive by using the word “reform,” which is what cook county did in 2017, instead of “ending cash bail,” which is what the state is doing come next year. Ain’t gotta lie to kick it =
Cook County’s bail reform in effect ended cash bail for a large chunk of cases. So how does that make it a poor comparison for ending bail on a larger scale?
In case you want to do research on the topic, you’ll find info from a lot of organizations regarding the idea of ending of cash bail, under the header of bail reform. The ACLU would be a good example.
- SWIL_Voter - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 2:29 pm:
== So how does that make it a poor comparison for ending bail on a larger scale?==
Because both the kinds of cases and the process for making the determination are totally different and done by different people. Which I’m certain you already know
- cermak_rd - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 2:37 pm:
if people aren’t a threat to society and/or flight risk and have not been convicted of a crime I see no reason why they should have to pay. And there ought to be a hearing where both sides argue the two pertinent facts (flight risk and harm to society) and I think that’s the system we have now?
I absolutely do not like cash bail. It becomes a classist system where the difference between one guy getting and out and working before his trial and another sitting in jail comes down to cash on hand or assets like oh, grandma’s house.
- Huh? - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 2:48 pm:
Have yet to understand how a criminal law on the books is going to prevent crime.
- Publius - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 2:54 pm:
How many people on electronic monitoring are actually committing a crime? Remember in this country no one is guilty unless they have been convicted. If these people are actually a danger to the public then should be in custody until trial. However we haven’t been doing a good job of ensuring a speedy trial either.
- Unconventional wisdom - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 2:56 pm:
=- 4 percent - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 1:33 pm:
Politics.
Check out Croke’s twitter account and you’ll see she’s getting blown up by progressives but she needs to address crime concerns from the yuppies living near Wrigley Field because crime is on their doorstep.
The bill won’t pass or see the light of day but you’ll see this headline every campaign mail piece. Its why people are cynical=
Well stated!
That about sums it up not only in her area, and not only in the stat,e but everywhere. A lot of people mouth the ‘compassionate line’ until it directly affects their lives. then they want action and protection. And if they don’t get it they do what is usually done in this nation. They move- until that area is a mess also. Then they move again.
- Unconventional wisdom - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 3:10 pm:
Discussion of EM seem to be surfacing and that is important.
EM seems like a good idea but one should realize that it is also not mandated in lieu of cash bail.
If EM is used for a defendant, they must prove it is necessary at the outset—and then again after every 60 days.
How this is actually implemented remains to be seen. Maybe, just maybe, there will be solid data and analysis to see how this all plays out and its effect on controlling crime.
- phenom_Anon - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 3:38 pm:
=Because both the kinds of cases and the process for making the determination are totally different and done by different people. Which I’m certain you already know=
You can point to whatever difference or nuance you want to try to claim “This is such a bizarre comparison”, but I think you’re going to find yourself alone on that one. Everyone other than you is making the correlation. There’s a reason Cook County’s reforms were brought up so much in hearings, debates, and news coverage on the bill. Proponents of the bill kept pointing to one particular study on the results in Cook, and the opponents kept pointing to a different study on it.
Whether or not you want to see the similarities that are plain to everyone else, that’s your choice, and I think you’ve already made it.
- Google Is Your Friend - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 4:43 pm:
- Unconventional wisdom - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 1:55 pm:
Get a refund on your education. Parole was abolish in 1978.
https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/discretion-determinate-sentencing-and-illinois-prisoner-review
- Chicagonk - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 4:44 pm:
@Unconventional - If I were a defendant, I’d much rather get EM than a bond I could post. Time on EM counts against your sentence and in order to be considered in violation, you have to have tampered with it or be away for more than 48 hours. Given how delayed the court system is right now, convicted criminals aren’t even having to do a single day in jail - they show up to IDOC and walk out the same day (50% auto credit and 2 years or more on EM and only serious class X felonies effectively have jail sentences).
- Common citizen - Thursday, Jan 13, 22 @ 5:28 pm:
Just gonna say….I told you so.