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Still more progress on crime-related issues

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Illinois

* From the unusual coalition of the Illinois NAACP and the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police …

State legislation regarding the use of body-worn cameras by police officers in Illinois has been a priority for both of our organizations this spring. In April of this year the NAACP and the ILACP met to discuss our mutual concerns, and body cameras emerged as a top mutual priority.

We are pleased to see this initiative advance in the Illinois General Assembly in Springfield this week, and we believe it is significant that our two organizations are making this statement of support together. We are committed to seeking and demanding transparency and accountability in law enforcement. Body cameras will help show the public that most police officers are engaged in constitutional policing, and they will help identify officers who abuse their authority or commit misconduct.

We are pleased that the legislation moving through the General Assembly adopts many recommendations from the U.S. Department of Justice, the National Police Executive Research Forum, the International and Illinois associations of chiefs of police, and the NAACP Legislative Agenda. It does not require every officer to wear a body camera. That could be prohibitively expensive in some communities. At the same time, this legislation makes grants available so that more police departments can purchase body cameras and it provides reasonable guidelines for their use. It will take some time for police departments to acquire the cameras and provide training for their use. Also, it will take some time for all citizens to understand the rules about when the cameras are turned on and when the cameras can be turned off.

We plan to work together to educate the public about the use of body cameras and other initiatives that will help build mutual trust. We all want to make our communities safer and the best way to accomplish that is for us to work together.

In the meantime, we continue to review other proposed police reforms in SB1304 and we thank Senator Kwame Raoul and Representative Elgie Sims and other supporters.

* And from the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law…

Senate Bill 1547, now on its way to the Governor, creates a necessary protection to survivors of domestic violence and individuals with disabilities in Illinois. It will prevent local governments from enacting or enforcing ordinances that punish tenants for calling 911 in response to domestic or sexual violence, or for crimes committed against them. The bill is a response to local ordinances that treat police calls as “nuisances”—sending a victim-blaming message to survivors of domestic violence and discouraging them from seeking help. No one should fear losing their home because they call the police to protect themselves.

The language of SB 1547 is a result of negotiations with local governments, property owners, law enforcement organizations, and advocates throughout the State. It strikes a critical balance between the needs of cities to address public safety concerns and the needs of tenants and landlords to be free from the dangerous impact of ordinances that impose penalties based on 911 calls. As a result, SB 1547 was voted unanimously out of both chambers and has the support of over 80 organizations, including the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, ACLU of Illinois, Illinois State’s Attorney, Illinois Sheriffs’ Association, Illinois Association of Realtors, Access Living, and Illinois Attorney General’s Office.

We thank Senator Toi Hutchinson and Representative Anthony DeLuca for their leadership in moving this important bill through the General Assembly and we urge Governor Rauner to sign it into law as soon as possible.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 29, 15 @ 3:42 pm

Comments

This is a great example of the power of coalitions, especially those that aren’t always on the same side. If they can work out their differences together and show a unified front to the policy makers, their request is hard to ignore.

Comment by Just Me Friday, May 29, 15 @ 3:50 pm
===Illinois NAACP and the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police===

Just a couple of special interest groups. Probably had their own lobbyists writing the bill too.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, May 29, 15 @ 3:59 pm
Hastert news flash from NBC

It’s about sexual relations with a student.

Comment by walker Friday, May 29, 15 @ 4:04 pm
rampant corruption
____________
- 47th Ward - Friday, May 29, 15 @ 3:59 pm:

Comment by zonz Friday, May 29, 15 @ 4:14 pm
===Probably had their own lobbyists writing the bill too.===

Now that woulda been some meeting, eh?

Comment by A guy Friday, May 29, 15 @ 4:15 pm
There were local ordinances that punished tenants for calling 911? Unbelieveable.

Comment by Wordslinger Friday, May 29, 15 @ 4:24 pm
There actually are Sling. And it is unbelievable. I’ve heard it in context with EMT calls where someone can’t get up after a fall. After a few of these, towns want to charge them. It’s irritating maybe, but not an epidemic. Munis will overreact. Same with these kind of calls. There are some paranoid folks out there, but it’s hard to imagine it’s worth risking real situations over. Good law. Pass it unanimously.

Comment by A guy Friday, May 29, 15 @ 4:47 pm
Is the governor going to torch these bills because his “Turnaround Agenda” hasn’t been passed?

Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, May 29, 15 @ 5:03 pm
It’s not the camera or training coats, it is the data cataloging, retention and backups.

Comment by Shemp Friday, May 29, 15 @ 7:43 pm