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More progress on criminal justice reform

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Illinois

* The budget may be messed up. The Turnaround Agenda may be in shambles, but there has been historic progress on the criminal justice front this spring. Tribune…

Illinois’ latest effort toward criminal justice reform has been heralded as a return to the state’s roots as a pioneer in the treatment of juvenile offenders.

State lawmakers on Sunday passed a bill that would reduce the number of juveniles automatically transferred to adult court. At issue was not whether juveniles can be tried as adults. Rather, it’s whether a juvenile defendant should be allowed a hearing in front of a juvenile court judge who would consider factors such as background, mental capacity and culpability before deciding whether to send the youth to adult court.

The bill, now awaiting Gov. Bruce Rauner’s signature, eliminates the automatic transfer to adult court of 15-year-olds accused of any crime, no matter how serious. For 16- and 17-year-olds, only those charged with murder, aggravated criminal sexual assault and aggravated battery with a firearm would automatically be sent to adult court.

If signed into law, the measure would reduce by more than half the number of juvenile offenders in Cook County who are automatically sent to adult court, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said in a news release. She championed the new legislation and decried the current law’s “disproportionate impact” on minorities.

* Meanwhile, from a press release…

ILLINOIS HOUSE, SENATE UNANIMOUSLY PASS BAIL BOND REFORM MEASURE
HB 1119 headed to Gov. Rauner’s desk for signature

CHICAGO - Cook County Commissioner John Fritchey (D-12th) today announced that House Bill 1119, legislation that eliminates excessive charges in bail bond processing fees in Cook County, has unanimously passed both chambers of the Illinois legislature and is headed to Governor Bruce Rauner for signature and final passage.

“I am encouraged by the overwhelming bi-partisan support that this common-sense measure received in Springfield, and I am hopeful that Governor Rauner signs it into law,” Commissioner Fritchey said. “I am grateful to State Representatives LaShawn Ford and Ron Sandack, as well as State Senator Kwame Raoul, for their leadership on this issue. Together we’ve recognized that our over-reliance on a money-based bail system isn’t working, and if we’re holding even one person in jail who shouldn’t be there but simply can’t afford to pay their way out, we’re operating at a loss both financially and morally. While there is more to be done, passing HB1119 is a positive step in making our criminal justice system more fair.”

Currently, state law authorizes court clerks to retain 10% of posted bail as ‘bail bond costs’ regardless of the size of the bond. Pursuant to the current law, in 2013, a staggering $5.6 million was kept by the Clerk of the Court of Cook County as bail bond costs. HB1119 caps the amount of bail bond money that can be retained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County at $100, regardless of the amount of the bond.

If passed, the law will go into effect January 1, 2016.

* And…

ATTORNEY GENERAL APPLAUDS LEGISLATIVE PASSAGE OF MEASURES TO SUPPORT WOMEN, CONSUMERS, SENIORS

Chicago — Attorney General Lisa Madigan today highlighted legislation initiated by her office that will be heading to the governor’s desk for final approval. […]

Improving Response to Campus Sexual Violence
Attorney Madigan spearheaded House Bill 821 to address sexual violence on college campuses. Madigan convened summits around the state to discuss the legislation, which will set standards to prevent and respond to sexual violence at higher education institutions throughout Illinois.

The Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act will ensure that Illinois colleges and universities take steps to develop clear, comprehensive campus sexual violence policies. Some of the requirements include notifying student survivors about their rights; providing a confidential advisor to survivors to help them understand their options to report the crime and seek medical and legal assistance; adopting a fair, balanced process for adjudicating allegations of sexual violence; and training students and campus employees to prevent sexual violence and improve awareness. The legislation, which was sponsored by Rep. Michelle Mussman (D-Schaumburg) and Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D-Olympia Fields), passed the House and Senate almost unanimously.

Greater Protections for Nursing Home Residents
Attorney General Madigan initiated House Bill 2462 in response to complaints from nursing home residents and families concerned for their relatives’ care and security. Madigan’s proposal would allow residents of nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities or their family members to purchase and install video or audio monitoring devices in their rooms. Some provisions include requiring resident and roommate consent before devices can be installed, making residents or their families responsible for purchasing and maintaining the devices, and prohibiting facilities from retaliating against residents who use the devices.

The measure, sponsored by Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) and Sen. Terry Link (D-Waukegan) passed both chambers of the General Assembly with strong legislative support. If enacted, Illinois would become the fourth state to explicitly allow electronic monitoring devices to be installed in resident rooms in nursing homes.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 11:05 am

Comments

Reform Commission is meeting today, too, according to the Reform website.

Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 11:07 am
Beginning to like this extended session.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 11:09 am
Great news on the nursing home monitors. Huge benefit for families, especially those living too far to visit daily or weekly.

Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 11:26 am
Good.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 11:35 am
And you can add to the criminal justice reform list Tom Dart’s “rocket docket” bill, SB 202, which will help move shoplifters and other petty offenders quickly through the system. It passed last week.

http://www.redeyechicago.com/news/redeye-sheriff-dart-dont-put-candy-bar-thieves-in-my-jail-20150310-story.html

Comment by Rick T. Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 11:36 am
Please stop calling this session’s progress “historic” — maybe so, but this is the opening salvo.

Comment by crazybleedingheart Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 11:38 am
=== nursing home monitors are a huge benefit for families ===

Assuming granny doesn’t get kicked out due to cuts in Medicaid spending.

Comment by nona Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 11:46 am
Putting a cap on what the clerk of the court keeps will not do a thing as far as the setting of bail. All it will do is cut down the amount of money brought in now that will have to be made up somehow. Tax increase anyone?

Comment by West Side the Best Side Wednesday, Jun 3, 15 @ 12:11 pm