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* Press release…
Governor JB Pritzker today proposed seven guiding principles that will be foundational in the administration’s plans to take action, in partnership with the General Assembly, to reform and modernize the state’s criminal justice system. From ending cash bail to reducing recidivism and modernizing sentencing laws to increasing police accountability and training, these principles aim to keep all Illinois families safe and build opportunity in all of our communities.
These principles build on the agenda outlined by Governor Pritzker and Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton in January of this year, at an event announcing the administration’s Justice, Equity, and Opportunity initiative. The governor commends the decades of tireless work by of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus and organizations and advocates across the state to bring Illinois to this point, and the Governor is resolutely committed to working in partnership with these leaders, the General Assembly, and Attorney General Kwame Raoul to bring about meaningful reform. In addition to working with the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus to further build out a criminal justice reform agenda, the governor is also committed to working with the caucus on the additional pillars of their agenda: education and workforce development, economic access and opportunity, and health care and human services.
“We’re building toward an Illinois that works for everyone – and criminal justice reform is a key element of that holistic approach. Together we will shape a more equitable system of justice that makes our state stronger and safer and expands opportunities for all our residents to improve their lives,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “At the state level alone, we spend billions of dollars a year keeping too many people in an overcrowded prison system that has proven itself too expensive, too punitive and wholly ineffective at keeping Illinois families safe. As we move forward with the General Assembly to pass comprehensive criminal justice reform, it is my hope that the nation will look to Illinois as a leader in true equity and justice for generations to come.”
“As I’ve always said, we cannot truly have justice without equity and opportunity. These principles will guide us on a path of repairing the historic harm caused by our justice system, especially in Black and Brown communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. “Comprehensive justice reform will help to reverse the systemic cycles that tear apart families, lay barren communities, lead to overcrowded jails, put strains on criminal justice infrastructure, and burden taxpayers. Illinois is enacting change, and setting a standard, that illustrates how compassion in policy can positively impact our nation.”
The governor’s principles focus on a holistic approach that addresses the structural flaws of a criminal justice system that disproportionately impacts people of color and often traps people in a cycle of incarceration and system-involvement.
The seven principles for an equitable criminal justice system are the following:
• End the use of the cash bail system and limit pretrial detention to only those who are a threat to public safety. The governor remains committed to ending a system that disproportionately forces low-income families and people of color into a disruptive cycle of unearned detention and instability. The cash bail system would be replaced by a risk assessment to determine the likelihood of a defendant’s appearance at trial and if there is a threat to public safety posed by a defendant’s pre-trial release.
• Modernize sentencing laws on theft and drug offenses and use a public health approach to address mental health and addiction. Illinois will decrease unnecessary admissions into prison, match modernized sentencing standards across the country, and limit criminal justice system involvement for non-violent offenders who need and would benefit from a public health intervention.
• Reduce excessive lengths of stay in prison by providing pathways for people to earn opportunities for rehabilitation. The state will increase access to sentence credit and time-limited supervised release while limiting penalty enhancements and short-term commitments that disproportionately trap low-income families and people of color in generational cycles of incarceration.
• Prioritize rehabilitation and reduce the risk of recidivism by increasing access to housing and healthcare for returning residents. The state is committed to expanding opportunities, supports, and services for people who are exiting the prison system so that they are set up to succeed upon return to their communities, and which will save taxpayers money by reducing the number of people trapped in a cycle of recidivism.
• Increase police accountability and transparency for police officers and police departments. Illinois will set the standard for the nation in professionalizing and setting statewide standards for police officers. We will advocate for licensing of police officers, strengthen the role of the State Police Merit Board, work alongside police departments to ensure compliance and proper use of body-worn cameras, create a state-level avenue to investigate systemic police misconduct, and remove barriers for civilians to report officer misconduct, like the signed affidavit requirement.
• Update and strengthen statewide standards for use of force by police officers. Illinois is committed to modernizing the legal standard for use of force and implementing common sense policies and trainings that are consistent with best practices and will improve police-community relations. This includes requiring police officers to apply first aid after using force, prohibiting no-knock search warrants, requiring the use of de-escalation techniques, and requiring officers to intervene and report when excessive force is used by another officer.
• Improve interactions with police by decriminalizing minor non-violent offenses, improving police response to crowd control, and increasing language and disability access. By decriminalizing minor non-violent offenses, creating policies and trainings for police response to non-violent crimes and protests, and increasing language and disability access for civilians, Illinois will establish a framework to improve community safety and trust.
“We will only see true, meaningful change within our criminal justice system when we as state leaders work together to eliminate the racism that has plagued it for centuries,” said State Senator Elgie Sims. “I commend the governor for his support of the Black Caucus’ efforts to bring justice and fairness to Black communities throughout the state. I look forward to working with him to pass legislation during the fall veto session.”
“Decades of tough on crime policies have done nothing to reduce gun violence, and are rooted in a history of racist ‘tough on crime’ safety policies,” said State Senator Robert Peters. “There is nothing prideful or righteous about clinging to failure. If we truly do want to win real safety and justice in our communities, then we must commit to real, tangible change. Half measures are not working, and we’ve seen that over the years and years of failed policy. It is now, in the midst of an economic, public health and systemic racism crisis, that we must remember the famous words of one of our country’s greatest leaders: ‘The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.’”
“Reforming our criminal justice system is a major step towards addressing systemic racism. In creating equity for black communities across Illinois it is paramount that we implement policies to eradicate mass incarceration, advance police reforms, and reduce violence. We commend the Governor and Lieutenant Governor for their steadfast dedication and commitment to criminal justice reform in Illinois,” said State Representative Justin Slaughter.
The administration is building on its ongoing efforts to create a more just criminal justice system. In partnership with the General Assembly, the administration has established policies for discretionary parole for young adults facing long sentences and increased the amount of incentives available for educational and wellness programming through sentencing credits. Illinois has also banned private correctional centers and private immigration detention centers.
The governor also signed legislation that ensured that the 20,000 people detained pre-trial each year have an opportunity to participate in our democracy and can vote while in detention. Those efforts are in addition to offering first-time registration forms to interested eligible voters in custody, as well as nonpartisan educational sessions on the voting process, current events, and government institutions for those near the end of their incarceration.
Through the law legalizing cannabis, Governor Pritzker has already pardoned over 11,000 individuals for low-level cannabis offenses, and more are expected over the coming months. Through these pardons, thousands of families are no longer prohibited from having access to human services, financial aid for school, professional licensing, jobs, and housing.
Thoughts?
…Adding… ACLU of IL…
Governor Pritzker’s release of principles to address long-term problems in Illinois’ criminal legal system is a welcome contribution to a discussion that brought thousands of Illinoisans out into the streets this summer to demand change. This process must result in a policing system in our state that reduces unnecessary interactions between police and residents and eliminates the corrosive racial bias that has cause so much harm. Our criminal legal system must be reoriented to focus on rehabilitation and return to community, rather than lengthy sentences that do not serve communities or make our state safer.
We welcome these principles and are ready to work with the Gov. Pritzker, Lt. Gov. Stratton, members of the general assembly, including Senators Sims, Peters and Rep. Slaughter, and other advocates to pass bold legislation that lead to meaningful and sustained change.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 2:06 pm
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The criminal justice system as a whole is a mess. People who commit violent crimes don’t do nearly enough time while low level offenders often are locked up far longer than necessary. Judges don’t follow statutory sentencing guidelines, and prosecutors focus on conviction rates rather than the public good. I don’t think that what is proposed addresses any of these issues. It just seems like it makes it easier for most people who commit crimes.
Comment by Powdered Whig Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 2:17 pm
“People who commit violent crimes don’t do nearly enough time”
Americans serve far more time, for the same crime, than people in other western countries.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 2:21 pm
Seal all criminal records after 10 years and expunge after 15 if no other crime after end of supervised release. Perhaps exception for violent or sex crimes. Also look into revising what is a sex crime with minors obvious adult minor children still a criminal me but some stuff is overcharged.
Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 2:32 pm
It’ fine-and we’ve heard much of it before-but if there is a significant increase in crime-or even the perception of an increase-it’ll all go out the window. Also, a lot of folks make their living-in many cases, a good living- from the system as it is now. They will need to be compensated to some degree.
Comment by Cassandra Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 2:50 pm
Democrats do still believe in collective bargaining, right? Those Dems who do understand that ‘licensing’ is code for breaking collective bargaining agreements. If some want to do that then I’m sure they want to do the same for the dozens of CTU members who are currently accused of abusing innocent children.
Comment by Chicago Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 2:54 pm
Powdered Whig has it right and what was proposed does not do anything about the increasing number of murders, shootings and gun crimes. the reality is that unless we release violent criminals from prison, studies tell us that we will not decrease the prison population. the key is to lower violent crime. and as for property crime, see the recent case of the looter who was out after previous offenses. property crime is debilitating to communities. this list is something to talk to those who think the problem is something it is really not.
Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 2:58 pm
===that ‘licensing’ is code for breaking collective bargaining agreements===
Really? Tell that to teachers.
Plus, does FOP even have a current contract in Chicago?
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 3:10 pm
“Plus, does FOP even have a current contract in Chicago?”
No. expired under Rahm. Lighfoot is trying to get in current by YE I believe with back-pay and do a longer term agreement. She just got the CFD contract renewed last month which had also been expired since 2017.
https://abc7chicago.com/lightfoot-chicago-fire-cfd-john-catanzara/6438177/
Comment by 1st Ward Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 3:17 pm
My thought is more of a question: Is the current make up and organizational of the Department of Corrections capable of implementing any of these reforms?
===‘licensing’ is code for breaking collective bargaining agreements.===
Licensing is a bare minimum standard. It’s like building something to code. It’s a bare minimum standard. Implementing building codes doesn’t stop houses from being built, it creates a bare minimum standard.
Implementing licensing doesn’t stop folks from being in a profession, it creates a bare minimum standard. There are a lot of very visible issues where law enforcement has not been able to be accountable to itself, and licensing is the bare minimum that can be done to address this.
In a profession where it is possible to commit class 3 and class 4 felonies and move on to the next job with no consequences as long as you time your resignation right, licensing is the bare minimum that can be done to held someone accountable to a basic standard.
Drives licenses sure don’t make everyone a perfect driver, but it sure helps a lot in tracking the folks that are a problem and making sure that they understand when they’re a problem because it results in them losing their license.
Comment by Candy Dogood Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 3:22 pm
==“Decades of tough on crime policies have done nothing to reduce gun violence, and are rooted in a history of racist ‘tough on crime’ safety policies,”==
Show us your math, please. As much as the Chicago murder numbers are going to spike this year, the toll still won’t match the murder rate Chicago experienced in the early 90s, when it was routine for more than 900 people to be murdered every year. Violent crime has steadily decreased over the past few decades nationwide, and it has in Chicago too, just not nearly as much as it has in other big cities. It’s possible some “tough on crime” laws have contributed to that reduction.
Doesn’t mean reform isn’t needed. It’s unproductive and expensive to lock people up for drug possession and the bail system is inherently discriminatory against poor people. This is important work…let’s try to stick to facts and avoid hyperbole.
Comment by Telly Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 3:31 pm
There already is certification for police aka licensing. This new ‘licensing’ is really just a way to be able to get around collective bargaining rights and is ripe for abuse. If it were the same for teachers then all those dozens of teachers who are accused of abusing kids would be fired. But is it easy to fire a CTU member? No. Don’t be fooled by the language. This is a direct assault at collective bargaining and all Labor should join in opposing this. I thought Rauner was gone.
Comment by Chicago Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 3:51 pm
Our massive criminal justice system is one of the biggest aspects of modern structural racism.
At first glance, I applaud these principles.
Comment by Proud Papa Bear Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 4:02 pm
Listen to the live-streamed Cook County bail hearings. The vast majority of cash bonds are being imposed for crimes of violence and for gun crimes (possession, discharge, and worse) by people without an FOIA or a concealed-carry.
Comment by Ares Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 4:04 pm
=== Americans serve far more time, for the same crime, than people in other western countries. ===
Not in Cook County they don’t.
Comment by Powdered Whig Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 4:09 pm
Plus, does FOP even have a current contract in Chicago?
The terms of the old contract remain in effect until a new contract is agreed upon or arbitration is agreed upon.
Comment by DuPage Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 4:10 pm
Real reform must contain components to end perpetual punishment for debts that have been paid. We need arrest and conviction records amnesty.
Comment by Kevin Brown Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 4:49 pm
The Chicago Police contract expired three years ago, but under the terms of the contract it stays in place until a new one is implemented.
I’d be shocked if licensing is mentioned in any police contract anywhere in the state, but each department’s disciplinary process certainly is. That might make implementing a state licensing structure legally complicated. What happens if the local police board clears an officer of a fireable offense, or reduces it to a suspension? Does the case then go before a state licensing commission that could strip the officer of his license, effectively firing him? That creates a kind of administrative double jeopardy. Maybe that’s okay legally, but we should be sure or it could cost the state.
We hear the “if a barber can be licensed by the state, so too should a police officers” argument a lot — and it sounds logical. But there are not hundreds of municipal and county disciplinary boards across the state that can fire bad barbers. There are for police officers.
Comment by TNR Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 5:01 pm
1. I don’t see many measurable goals in there. Is that a next step?
2. What happened to shifting funding away from policing toward alternates that make communities safer? This seems like more of the liberal “reform” designed to nibble around the edges while maintaining the castle walls around privileged white communities like Lakeview, Lincoln Park, the Loop, and the Gold Coast. Defund the Police (and the prisons) is foundational.
3. No mention of addressing police “Use of Force,” and the words excessive force and police brutality are not even used. It’s gonna be hard for JB to fix a problem he is afraid to name.
Comment by Black Lives Still Matter Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 5:39 pm
“Not in Cook County they don’t.”
Yes.
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-7218/
Yes, they do.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 6:16 pm
What is going on with the Clemency petition still pending from last year? Governor did state if inmate was charged with murder BUT was just the driver and has served more than half their sentence he was granting petition well we still havent heard anything from inmate who had a hearing In October 2019 and he was just the driver serving 22years under truth of sentencing at 100% and has served 18 years already.. When is governor going to approve more clemency petitions?
Comment by Nirvana Cueto Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 1:09 pm