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Naperville Park Board once again steps out on a controversial issue

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Illinois

* Last month, the Naperville City Council rejected a resolution calling on the governor to veto the criminal justice bill. Then the DuPage County Board voted to indefinitely postpone debate on a similar resolution. But, goshdarnit, the Naperville Park District Board is demanding to be heard…

The Naperville Park Board wants Gov. J.B. Pritzker to veto statewide criminal justice reforms approved by the previous Illinois General Assembly because of the effect they will have on the park district’s police officers and others across the state.

Board members unanimously approved a resolution that says the proposed legislative changes pose a “substantial danger” to the 23 part-time and two full-time park officers employed by the park district. […]

Leaders call out others, and a bill of this magnitude approved in the middle of the night without debate and serious discussion is wrong, Janor said.

“If the Naperville Park District ever attempted to pull shenanigans like this, our constituents would be outraged and justifiably so,” he said.

The park board sued the governor last May, arguing that it ought to decide when to reopen, not the governor. A local judge denied the request for a TRO and the board eventually dropped the suit.

Also, the House Speaker and every chair of his approps committees strongly supported that bill, and the new Senate Appropriations Chair Elgie Sims was its principle sponsor. Local governments that make wild accusations about this bill probably ought to keep that in mind, particularly since the state is in a budget bind these days.

* And Sen. Sims also pushed back on the process complaints…

Sims said he’s willing to entertain input despite the “fear-mongering” spread by the critical groups who contend they were left out of discussions on the legislation and complain about its Senate approval just before dawn on Jan. 13, the last day of the previous legislative session

“That’s what’s the most disturbing about the discussion of the process,” Sims countered. “The bill passed when it did because we continued to negotiate (with those groups) until the very end.”

* Let’s move on to cash bail. Some Illinois numbers…

Pretrial detention in jails has also swollen the state’s incarcerated population–even as the prison population has fallen. According to the Vera Institute, the state’s jail population has shot up 5 percent since 2000, while the prison population has dropped 12 percent. Pretrial detention accounted for 71 percent of the state’s jail population in 2015.

* From Judge Robbin Stuckert, who chairs the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Pretrial Practices…

Comprehensive, sustainable reform takes courage, patience, diligence and faith. Building upon the Bail Reform Act of 2017, the General Assembly recently passed additional reforms of the State’s pretrial detention system. Importantly, the legislation includes a delayed effective date on many of its key provisions. This additional time will be critical to establish an effective statewide pretrial system to support these changes and ensure that individuals who pose a threat to public safety are detained pretrial.

The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Pretrial Practices recognizes that for far too long our criminal justice system has criminalized poverty by often detaining low level, non-violent offenders simply because they cannot afford bail. A large percentage of accused persons who enter the criminal justice system are indigent, facing economic obstacles. The General Assembly is commended for addressing these difficult issues. […]

Going forward, the Supreme Court has directed the Task Force to assume a leadership role regarding the implementation of this historic and courageous legislation. We will prepare guidance and training on the bill’s pretrial provisions and will identify areas in the bill for which amendatory language must be considered.

We look forward to continued dialogue with the legislative authors and we will work tirelessly to ensure comprehensive and sustainable pretrial reform is implemented throughout Illinois.

* Public Radio on cash bail…

The bill, which would take effect in January 2023, if signed, offers dozens of charges that could compel a judge to detain the accused: first-degree murder, arson, gun-related offenses, sexual assaults and domestic violence and other crimes.

One of the changes that advocates for the legislation tout is that the measure also creates a risk-assessment tool to help a judge determine whether someone should be detained or released.

“We can track the outcome of what happens in bond court, what happens with jail decisions so we can make better decisions about how we should move forward when it comes to pretrial, said Sharone Mitchell, director of the Illinois Justice Project. The group is part of a coalition that advocated for the end of cash bail.

Mitchell says the bill maps the process for determining whether somebody will be detained. “In the status quo, we have like a patchwork of laws, some of them contradict each other.”

I asked Mitchell about the contradicting statutes. He pointed me to People v. Gil, which, he explained, tries to parse out how someone is held without bond and points out contradictions between 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1 and 4(a) of that statute.

* But this is coming at a time of increased violent crime, making it tougher for proponents…

Chicago is off to another violent start to a new year with 51 homicides in January, the most slayings recorded for the month in five years.

* And…

Nearly 80 organizations have joined a chorus of calls that the head of the Chicago police union be fired over allegations he made racist remarks in a series of social media posts. […]

When reached Monday about the letter, Catanzara was unbowed, saying he will continue to represent the FOP members. He urged the organizations to focus on efforts to address Chicago’s escalating violence, including carjackings and homicides.

“Maybe they should worry about things like that,” he said. “Crime that really matters.”

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Feb 1, 21 @ 2:13 pm

Comments

== But this is coming at a time of increased violent crime, making it tougher for proponents… ==

Of course, the current bail regime hasn’t prevented that increase in crime, and even if signed, the bail abolition bill won’t kick in until two years from now.

Comment by Quibbler Monday, Feb 1, 21 @ 2:20 pm
I’m just imagining a staffer running into Jim Durkin’s office, waiving a piece of paper:

Staffer: “Sir, we finally got one!”
Durkin: “Great! I was just about to give up and settle for a resolution from a Park District.
Staffer: “Well…”

Comment by NIU Grad Monday, Feb 1, 21 @ 2:29 pm
Flashbacks to Rauner “turnaround agenda” votes and pretending these boards, towns, counties are solution based to policy and legislation.

Poor “ck” would haveta put her name to ridiculous proclamations on it, this reeks of that type of gaming.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Feb 1, 21 @ 2:33 pm
== Board members unanimously approved a resolution that says the proposed legislative changes pose a “substantial danger” to the 23 part-time and two full-time park officers employed by the park district ==

I think you need to ask yourself some questions as a board about having so many part-time officers. It would seem full-time officers would be ’safer’ in terms of per-hour worked because they are doing it full-time and would be ‘better’ at the job. That would seem to a one response you as a board can take to improve officer safety.

Also I can see your concern when the officers are dealing with punks playing pickleball at Nike Park.

Comment by OneMan Monday, Feb 1, 21 @ 2:37 pm
Catanzara was unbowed, saying he will continue to represent the FOP members. He urged the organizations to focus on efforts to address Chicago’s escalating violence, including carjackings and homicides.

“Maybe they should worry about things like that,” he said. “Crime that really matters.”

Catanzara’s highlighting the failures of Chicago law enforcement may not be the rhetorical zinger that he thinks it is.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Monday, Feb 1, 21 @ 2:43 pm
I’m thinking OSLAD grants would have some revenue the State could sweep to shore up its budget?

Comment by Frank talks Monday, Feb 1, 21 @ 2:44 pm
I bet you the Naperville Park Board was swamped with voter reactions to crime bill. After all when I am upset with state legislation the first place I call is my Park District

Comment by DuPage Saint Monday, Feb 1, 21 @ 3:00 pm
Frank talks

Pretty sure the state already borrowed and owes OSLAD $58 million.

Comment by Phenomynous Monday, Feb 1, 21 @ 3:06 pm
== Pretrial detention in jails has also swollen the state’s incarcerated population–even as the prison population has fallen. ==

Surprising in that Cook County, the state’s biggest jail by far, has seen it population plummet — from around 10,000 inmates to around 5k.

On pretrial detention, judges have pretty wide discretion to hold or release suspects. They do now and will continue to under the new law. The major difference is they will lose the ability to require a suspect to post bail before release.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Feb 1, 21 @ 3:06 pm
Citizens of Naperville really need to pay attention to the candidates (e.g. City Council, School Board, and Park District) on the April 6th local election ballot.

Comment by Cricket Monday, Feb 1, 21 @ 3:11 pm
VERA’s numbers are deeply skewed after the bail reform legislation was enacted just 2 years ago. Increasing the rate for in custody credit to $30 per day and mandating bail rehearings within a day in most cases has dramatically altered the landscape. Sen. Sims legislation makes Vera’s numbers meaningless, as does the effects of the pandemic on early release at the IDOC. This data is garbage in/garbage out.

Comment by reading is fundamental Monday, Feb 1, 21 @ 3:13 pm
51 homicides in January Lori needs to get a hold of the city- homicides highest in 5 years, 2021 carjackings 144 as of 5 days ago, teachers strike looming, holding on opening bars and restaurants to the next phase as rates have dropped, office tenants downsizing downtown commercial property,
Been a rough 2021 for that crew so far.

Comment by Frank talks Monday, Feb 1, 21 @ 4:09 pm
Naperville Citizen- “Hi, I am here to discuss the upcoming kickball league”

Park Board- ” you’re going to have to come back later sir. We are discussing our position on bail and crime reform”

Citizen- “oh geeze, I am sorry I thought I was at the park district board meeting”

Board- “you are”

Citizen- ???

Comment by JS Mill Monday, Feb 1, 21 @ 4:51 pm
===he major difference is they will lose the ability to require a suspect to post bail before release.

So, beyond the list of exceptions, what other charges should be included in the exceptions to allow bail?

====offers dozens of charges that could compel a judge to detain the accused: first-degree murder, arson, gun-related offenses, sexual assaults and domestic violence and other crimes.

Please be specific.

Comment by ArchPundit Monday, Feb 1, 21 @ 5:02 pm
Illinois. Home to more separately elected entities than anywhere in the world. If one is bored, watch video of these kinds of meetings. Township follies in Maine, local park districts. and here come the local elections in 2019.

Comment by Amalia Monday, Feb 1, 21 @ 5:25 pm