* Center Square…
House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, alongside Chicago Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara and former Chicago Police Department Officer Robert Mizera, criticized Gov. J.B. Pritzker at a Tuesday news conference for his handling of the Prisoner Review Board.
Mizera, a former CPD officer, was shot and injured by Kensley Hawkins in 1980. Hawkins later would be convicted of the murder of a 65-year-old man and was sentenced to almost 100 years in prison.
He is now out of prison after being commuted by Pritzker and his appointed Illinois Prisoner Review Board.
“Mr. Hawkins was zealously represented by Department Counsel Lisa Schoedel at Jenner & Block, as part of [Illinois Prison Project’s] pro bono program,” an April 28 statement from Jenner & Block said. “Ms. Schoedel’s commitment and dedication to Mr. Hawkins and his case paid off: Last week, she received a call from the Illinois Governor’s Office, telling her that Mr. Hawkins would be coming home.”
Mizera said he learned of his attacker’s release via an email and has had no further discussion with Pritzker or his administration about the decision.
“On April 22nd, 2021, I was informed by email that Mr. Hawkins had been released from prison with no reason given,” Mizera said at Tuesday’s news conference. “The governor did not call me, he did not ask me what I thought and he probably did not care, so that’s my dealing with Governor Pritzker and his release of people who obviously should still be in prison.”
Catanzara asked the residents of Illinois to think about what would happen to them in this situation.
“If an officer cannot get justice, and their families cannot get justice, what does the average person think is going to happen to the monsters that murder their loved ones?” Catanzara said.
Durkin, R-Western Springs, called the clemency a sign of disrespect to law enforcement.
“Today I am here to talk about Governor Pritzker’s continuing lack of respect and continuing attack on our police officers, those currently on the force and those who have already served, and the victims of crime in this state,” Durkin said.
Pritzker has granted clemency to more than 20 individuals previously convicted of crimes since taking office.
I emailed Durkin’s spokesperson to ask if Hawkins had been arrested since his release more than a year ago. No reply.
* From the governor’s office…
The leader of the Republican Party standing with a racist zealot spewing lie after lie while using racist language like “savages” is unfortunately the new norm. If Leader Durkin truly cared about making our state a safer place to live, he would have voted to provide funding for more Illinois State Troopers, to build and staff a new crime lab to process evidence, and expand violence interruption programs. While Leader Durkin continues to lie about what the criminal justice reform bill does, advocates for survivors who worked on the law say “it increases safety for survivors.” Gov. Pritzker is focused on solutions, not tired talking points.
BACKGROUND
Kensley Hawkins spent 40 years in prison after being convicted of attempted murder based on the conduct of his co-defendant under the theory of accountability. He was 70 years old with a number of health conditions at the time he was granted parole.
From advocates who worked on the bill: https://www.sj-r.com/story/opinion/columns/guest/2021/04/24/opinion-end-cash-bail-good-illinois-survivors/7343437002/
• “That’s not what we consider advocating for survivors, nor is the tendency of some law enforcement officials to use survivors as an excuse to justify total opposition to reform, all the while ignoring the lived experiences that informed these structural changes.
Contrary to the false arguments advanced by opponents, the new pretrial system will not simply release every person arrested for a crime. For example, it will ensure people held for forcible felonies, including domestic or sexual violence, are kept for up to 48 hours. It will give the state time to gather information about whether someone poses a threat to others. It is a welcome reform to the current practice of releasing people who can pay the bond with minimal regard for the threat they may pose to survivors.”
Who is John Catanzara?
• According to the Citizens Police Data Project, he has been the subject of 50 allegations — more than 96% of Chicago police officers.
• Once suspended for 30 days following an investigation into allegations of domestic abuse in 2003.
• Reprimanded following an investigation into an allegation of excessive force in 2003.
• Suspended for six days following an investigation into allegations of conduct unbecoming an officer by associating with a felon while off-duty in 2003.
• Suspended for 20 days following an investigation into allegations of conduct unbecoming by associating with a felon while off-duty in 2004.
• Suspended for 10 days for insubordination in 2005.
• Suspended for 15 days following an investigation into an allegation of a personnel violation at an Old Town tavern in 2007.
• Suspended for 20 days after the Chicago Police Board found him guilty of violating department rules by working as a private security guard while on medical leave for a back injury in 2008. Supt. Garry McCarthy had sought to fire him.
• According to the Chicago Tribune, then-Police Supt. Jody Weis sought to fire Catanzara in 2008, accusing him of failing to follow orders to complete a psychological exam, but the Chicago Police Board cleared Catanzara of wrongdoing.
• Suspended for 10 days following an investigation into miscellaneous personnel violations in 2013.
* Durkin “savages” quote…
There is a provision in [the SAFE-T Act] which for the first time is going to allow a defendant, a defendant to be able to compel the victim of crime to appear at a detention hearing starting January 1. … We have a responsibility to protect victims, not to feed them to the savages, is what JB Pritzker and the Democrats have done under this legislation.
…Adding… From a contemporaneous news report…
* And a debunking of Durkin’s actual claim…
* Statement from the Illinois Prison Project…
The Illinois Prison Project represented Kensley Hawkins in his clemency petition alongside Jenner & Block through our pro bono program. It’s no surprise proponents of failed, carceral policies would rather resort to racist dog whistles and political grandstanding than engage with substantive, evidence-based solutions that actually make our communities safer.
Mr. Hawkins was released in April 2021, just six years short of his estimated release date, after having spent almost four decades behind bars. His medical conditions put him at an increased risk of death from COVID-19 at a time when the virus had already infected tens of thousands of people in Illinois prisons.
Mr. Hawkins was convicted under the controversial theory of accountability, a legal doctrine that allows for a person to be convicted of a crime they not only didn’t commit but also didn’t plan, agree, or intend to commit, and at which they were not even present.
He has not been arrested since his release more than a year ago. You can watch Mr. Hawkins share his story here.
- Roadrager - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 2:41 pm:
Catanzara is very proud of being an outward bigot and goon right up to the moment somebody calls him one.
- ArchPundit - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 2:48 pm:
===• Suspended for six days following an investigation into allegations of conduct unbecoming an officer by associating with a felon while off-duty in 2003.
===• Suspended for 20 days following an investigation into allegations of conduct unbecoming by associating with a felon while off-duty in 2004.
So Catanzara is only worried about particular types of felons.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 2:48 pm:
Durkin might have bigger worries, like a coup if the wrong folks can take the lead.
Normally I’d think that would be hyperbole, “but, Leader Brady”
- Take a Closer Look - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 2:49 pm:
Durkin is nothing like his parents or brothers. He has allowed the Eastern Block in his caucus to turn him into an angry white man who, if he is not racist, sounds like one. It may be time for new leadership in the HGOP caucus now too.
- Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 2:51 pm:
Defendants are merely accused and haven’t been convicted of the crime with which they are charged. Yet Leader Durkin is judging them to be savages. One would think a licensed attorney would know that and remember he took an oath to uphold the justice system and not make prejudicial statements.
As for that presser, Leader Durkin, a man should be judged by the company he keeps. You are choosing poorly.
- HGOP Insider - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 2:52 pm:
I can honestly tell you that the HGOP is fed up with Jim Durkin and his pandering to the worst in our party. He is a failed leader whose time has come. We may want to look at someone like a Brad Stephens or Keith Wheeler to turn this thing over to in January. Would be nice if he bowed out before the general election.
- Annonin' - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 2:58 pm:
Durkie really misses here.
Leader Brady might be available due to work at SOS
Leader Stephans might work cause he is now R-Chicago….that would have to vaporize all that Hate Chicago stuff.
- So_Ill - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 3:04 pm:
==I can honestly tell you that the HGOP is fed up with Jim Durkin and his pandering to the worst in our party. He is a failed leader whose time has come. We may want to look at someone like a Brad Stephens or Keith Wheeler to turn this thing over to in January. Would be nice if he bowed out before the general election.==
No offense, but you seem pretty out of touch with your own party.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 3:06 pm:
=== Leader Stephans (sp) might work cause he is now R-Chicago===
The Ole Northwest Side Truce has been annulled, Durkin, himself, was an “of counsel” of that group, along with Dan Cronin, even if it was for only “a cup of coffee” type of time frame… but how ironic would it be if Bradley Stephens was HGOP leader.
=== that would have to vaporize all that Hate Chicago stuff.===
It would neutralize the Eastern Bloc silly, as the new leader would have the task to mute them or face them undermining Stephens every 5-7 minutes.
That would have my attention(?)
- Lakefront - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 3:08 pm:
== We may want to look at someone like a Brad Stephens or Keith Wheeler ==
Yet, tell me Insider, who is really more “fed up” or the bigger threat to Durkin’s leadership? Is it the Wheelers and Stephens or the Wilhours and Millers? Durkin is probably far more worried about the Eastern Bloc types who are already expressing public anger at him. The moderates already have their best player with Durkin at the helm. A shakeup will be to the far right.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 3:09 pm:
===No offense, but you seem pretty out of touch with your own party.===
Oh, I dunno.
Coups are odd things. There can be more than one group looking to fill the void.
The Eastern Bloc types are probably more visible if it came down to it…
… but, let Durkin have this post and comment for now, I guess.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 3:15 pm:
- Lakefront -
You’re on it, if there is something to *be* on, I suppose.
Folks like Batinick, Demmer, Bourne, they’re gone, have to wonder how the cobbling, by anyone, is going to play out, Durkin, sadly, included.
- charles in charge - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 3:16 pm:
==Yet, tell me Insider, who is really more “fed up” or the bigger threat to Durkin’s leadership? Is it the Wheelers and Stephens or the Wilhours and Millers?==
Yes, came here to say this.
- vern - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 3:25 pm:
HGOP Insider, I think it would be great for the Minority Leader to be someone who stands up to the worst in their party. Maybe one of the brave Republicans who voted to condemn Chris Miller’s participation in the events of January 6th? Oh wait, that list is zero members long.
After this year’s caucus brain drain plays out, I’d be surprised if Stephens or Wheeler had more votes than Miller himself for leader. If Durkin is too far right for you, your days as an insider are probably coming to a close.
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 3:33 pm:
Pretty interesting political instincts to see Irvin’s TUFF ON CRIME ™ campaign falling apart and deciding to double down on it while adding in just a soupçon of racism.
- Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 3:41 pm:
JB who privately told Rod to nominate the “least offensive” African American candidate for the US Senate lecturing about racist language?
- MisterJayEm - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 3:46 pm:
The choices of the IL-GOP leadership remind me of this story about a dive bar with more integrity:
https://twitter.com/IamRageSparkle/status/1280891537451343873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The IL-GOP had opportunity after opportunity after opportunity to tell the nice, polite racists in their midst, “No. Get out.”
But they passed — didn’t want to violate the 11th Commandment and cause a scene.
And now it may be too late.
– MrJM
- Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 3:50 pm:
Savages is racist?
Someone forget to tell Hollywood
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savages_(2012_film)
JB and the Democrats are actually running on their record on fighting crime and keeping Illinois safe?
- Immigrants Welcome - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 3:51 pm:
Speculation about a HGOP coup was not the outcome Durkin was expecting when he stood with Catanzara but it is the outcome he deserves
- Nick - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 3:53 pm:
Catanzara is probably the best argument I’ve ever seen against public sector unions.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 3:55 pm:
- Lucky Pierre - *continues* defend racist thinkers… with “whataboutism”
It’s who he is.
- charles in charge - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 3:56 pm:
==Savages is racist?==
Yeah.
- Pundent - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 4:05 pm:
=I can honestly tell you that the HGOP is fed up with Jim Durkin and his pandering to the worst in our party.=
Seems to me like the “worst in our party” is now your party and Durkin is trying to adapt. Not that it will matter much. If Bailey wins I would think that Durkin’s unwillingness to support him, and his comments on “meddling,” might come back to bite him. He (and others) wanted to anoint Richard Irvin. If the polls are accurate, the base doesn’t seem to like that.
- Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 4:12 pm:
Least offensive is obviously racist language but JB gets a pass
Lily white Blake Lively, John Travolta, Jennifer Lawrence and Uma Thurman star in an Oliver Stone movie called Savages that is obviously not racist in any way but that doesn’t seem to matter
- AnotherMillennial - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 4:22 pm:
Catanarza, Justice is supposed to be blind, meaning police officers should get the “same amount” of it as any other citizen.
Boy, I remember the days when people didn’t say the quiet parts so loud.
- Responsa - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 4:32 pm:
It’s rather nervy of our Gov’s spokesperson to make these accusations of racism considering how very close to the obvious dog whistle” line some of the current Dem funded anti-Irvin ads have been.
- Demoralized - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 4:32 pm:
==It’s who he is.==
He’s incapable of seriously engaging on any topic. His programming requires him to consistently spit out “yeah, but the Democrats.” He can’t bring himself to say anything else.
- AlfondoGonz - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 4:40 pm:
“If an officer cannot get justice, and their families cannot get justice, what does the average person think is going to happen to the monsters that murder their loved ones?” Catanzara said.
This is a nice quote to summarize some of the problems caused by police culture that need to be addressed. He’s acknowledging he thinks officers are more entitled to justice than “average” people.
I’ll also acknowledge the especially pathetic effort put forth by LP on this thread.
- Demoralized - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 4:43 pm:
It seems like the Republicans simply do not want the Prisoner Review Board to exist. That’s what I’m getting out of their constant barrages of attacks. That basically the entire premise of the Board is wrong. Nobody gets out. Period.
- Demoralized - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 4:46 pm:
==but==
That sums up the entirety of your commentary. “But.” You have got to be one of the biggest whiners and victims around.
- Dotnonymous - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 4:47 pm:
Catanzara’s rap sheet is longer than mine.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 4:49 pm:
- Lucky Pierre - should never question that he defends the racist thinkers or insurrection sympathizers.
That needs to end.
These comments here are another example of the continued attempts to seek cover for those bad elements.
- Da big bad wolf - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 4:59 pm:
At what point does a defendant who is innocent til proven guilty devolve into a savage?
- Pundent - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 5:03 pm:
There’s really no reason to acknowledge our most prolific troll. He’s literally on the wrong side of history each and every time he comments. His accuracy in predicting the future, particularly in the State of Illinois, is abysmal and he lacks the self-awareness to ever acknowledge it. Take satisfaction in knowing how undoubtedly miserable daily life must be for he/she. Have empathy for those that find themselves having to co-exist in that orbit.
- Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 5:08 pm:
Who are the racist thinkers and insurrectionists I am defending?
Jim Durkin has honorably served in Springfield for decades.
No serious person would call him a racist or insurrectionist.
He did not call multiple African American Illinois Democratic politicians offensive, the Governor did.
People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
Police officers risk their lives defending the public. Murdered police officers was at a 20 year high in 2021.
Hardly controversial at all to demand enhanced penalties for cop killers.
https://abc7chicago.com/amp/police-officers-killed-in-2021-fbi-crime-statistics-how-many/11468095/
- Roadrager - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 5:09 pm:
==Take satisfaction in knowing how undoubtedly miserable daily life must be for he/she.==
I will not, because the world around shows that LP’s daily life is far more likely to be well-funded and comfortable, with plenty of encouragement. They’re doing just fine.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 5:13 pm:
===He did not call multiple African American Illinois Democratic politicians offensive===
Just for context https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=873nttMwH6o
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 5:20 pm:
- Lucky Pierre -
The term “whataboutism” is predicated on accepting the thing, usually the bad thing, as acceptable, and the “whstabout” is showing “you accept it too
For context…
It’s who you are. You may not grasp it, lol
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 5:22 pm:
===no reason to acknowledge our most prolific troll===
Meh. I’d just like this person to explain how that specific screen name was chosen. Wordslinger tried to get to the, um, bottom of it a long time ago.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 5:26 pm:
===I’d just like this person to explain how that specific screen name was chosen. Wordslinger tried to get to the, um, bottom of it a long time ago.===
If it’s all a gag, letting us all in now would be priceless.
That - Wordslinger - rarely missed a trick.
- Foxy Funderburg - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 5:48 pm:
“feed them to the savages” is racist language.
We know where the phrase comes from, and it isn’t 2012 Hollywood, Licky Pierre.
It comes from the racist tropes of Africa, made popular in film by Hungarian-American Johnny Weissmuller as Tarzan prior to WW II.
Is Jim Durkin a racist, or is he merely pretending to be racist, or does it really matter?
I am of the third camp. I don’t care whether Kass, McQueary, Durkin, or Bailey are actually racist or merely pretending to be because they hope to attract and lead a racist audience.
Jim Durkin is an attorney and he well knows what that the word “savages” means “animal-like” and is applied in this context to mean “sub-human.”
- Pundent - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 6:11 pm:
Rich, I had no idea. As the immortal George Takei might say, “oh my.”
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 6:31 pm:
===“oh my.”===
Oh something…
- Responsa - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 6:49 pm:
Rich, the Pritzker recording you posted above was an unpleasant trip down memory lane. But thank you for the link. I suspect many people did not know about this disturbing conversation or knew about it but have conveniently “forgotten” it.
That was a both a terrible and clarifying moment with respect to JB.
- Big Dipper - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 6:56 pm:
Pretty sad when LP has to go back a decade or more for examples. “Thug” didn’t use to be seen as problematic, now it is. Times change, we have had BLM and metoo in the intervening years. It’s not Archie Bunker days anymore.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 6:57 pm:
===I suspect many people did not know about this disturbing conversation or knew about it but have conveniently “forgotten” it.
That was a both a terrible and clarifying moment with respect to JB.===
How did Jesse White react during the campaign to this?
Did you forget that too?
Did Jesse White then shun and take back his endorsement? Why not?
Did candidate Pritzker talk to White after?
- Candy Dogood - Wednesday, Jun 15, 22 @ 8:45 pm:
Do you suppose Durkin was greeted by chants of “one of us” or has he always towed this line but quietly?