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* Jeremy Gorner and Clare Spaulding at the Tribune…
The Illinois Senate on Tuesday took the rare step of rejecting one of Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s nominees to a state agency, in this case the Prisoner Review Board.
The Democratic-controlled Senate’s 22-19 vote fell short of the 30 votes needed to confirm Jeffrey Mears’ nomination to the board, which has duties that include deciding whether prisoners should be released early on parole.
All 18 Senate Republicans voted against Mears’ confirmation as did one Democrat, Patrick Joyce of Essex. But 18 Democrats sat out the vote. […]
State Sen. Bill Cunningham, a Chicago Democrat who voted Tuesday in favor of Mears’ appointment, said he intends next week to vote against the nominations of Oreal James and Eleanor Wilson to the board. The two were appointed by Pritzker and voted last year to grant parole for Hurst and Veal [two men accused of killing police officers more than 50 years ago].
“I’m, personally, of the belief that individuals who kill police officers should serve a life sentence without any possibility of parole,” Cunningham, whose district is inhabited by a lot of Chicago police officers, said Tuesday after the Senate adjourned.
Cunningham is not just any state Senator, he’s the Senate President Pro Tempore. And Ms. Wilson is not just any ordinary PRB member. She’s the godmother to former President Barack Obama’s kids.
* Capitol News Illinois…
Pritzker spokesperson Jordan Abudayyeh in an email blamed Republicans for the denial Tuesday and touted Mears’ resume.
“Republicans have set out on a mission to dismantle a constitutional function of government, just like the previous governor,” she said in a statement. “We remain committed to ensuring that highly qualified nominees fill these roles, especially because we must fulfill our constitutional obligations for justice and cannot jeopardize key public safety functions of the board like revoking parole for those who violate the terms of their release.”
The statement was referring to the approximately 4,500 parole revocation hearings held by the PRB each year at locations around the state about 15 to 20 times per month. Three board members must be present at each hearing to render a decision on whether to terminate an offender’s parole, otherwise the offender would be released and deemed not in violation of parole.
Pritzker had sent a letter to Executive Appointments Chair Sen. Laura Murphy, D-Des Plaines, and Sen. Jason Plummer, R-Edwardsville, on March 15 urging them to act on appointments to address the potential of not having enough board members for the revocation hearings.
…Adding… Ellie Leonard with the Senate Republicans…
In regard to Jordan’s statement about Rauner…all of his appointees (12) to PRB were confirmed in a timely manner without any “no” votes. Only one member has been confirmed the entire time Pritzker has been in office. That was Lisa Daniels on 5/31/19 and she was a Rauner appointee. Therefore, Rauner has more confirmed PRB members during Pritzker’s term in office than Pritzker himself. Not a great statistic for someone who wants to blame Republicans and Rauner for the issues within PRB. 🙃
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 8:00 am
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Obviously, circumstances of the crime, victims families’ input, as well as many other mitigation has to be taken into consideration when releasing ANY offender early. Having said that, “cop killer” seeking early release plays well in the press when saying they should never be released. This is where the debate is today with rehabilitation and the function of the prison system: what’s the end goal for an offender sent to prison?
Comment by Alice Childress Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 8:09 am
During the debate over the death penalty a dozen years ago, advocates for abolition argued executions should be replaced with life sentences without parole for capital cases, like murdering a cop. Seemed like a good argument then, and now.
Comment by CLR Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 8:17 am
18 Democrats sat out the vote and 18 Republicans voted to not confirm.
Instead of recalibrating and working to put out the dumpster fire, right on cue JB blames just the Republicans and threw in some Rauner bashing too for his base.
A canary in the coal mine that the Democrats agenda on crime and punishment is toxic
Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 8:27 am
I think Cunningham may be in a position to influence state law to make penalties that he wants. Instead of throwing a tantrum when government officials follow the law on the books, he could in fact change the law on the books. Granted, I doubt it could apply retroactively, though I’m not positive about that.
Comment by Perrid Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 8:40 am
Why did the 18 Democrats sit out the vote? (Unless subscribers know)
Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 8:53 am
= And Ms. Wilson is not just any ordinary PRB member. She’s the godmother to former President Barack Obama’s kids=
Ms. Eleanor Kaye Wilson a.k.a. “Mama Kaye” has an interesting background. Her educational and community advocacy may make her a good fit on the Board for the Dems. Not exactly a strict lock-em up law and order type but qualified.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mama-kaye-wilson-obama-godmother_n_846990
Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 8:53 am
The message has been sent but not received? Looks like a pretty clear signal that this might be a good opportunity for the Gov. to pull back from his obviously unpopular nomination of Mears rather than get all tetchy about it.
Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 8:56 am
Gross, disgusting rank cowardice by the Senate Dems. So no one should get parole? No one deserves clemency? What do they hope to accomplish here politically? There is being smart on crime and then there is tossing all of your principles completely overboard at a not so hard test of political fortitude. They are not going to win any points with GOP voters who care about crime. They’ve signaled to their allies they will abandon them in a hot minute if things get mildly tough. Just unreal. I thought we were past the Willie Horton racist nonsense of the last century but Bill Cunningham demonstrates we are not.
And way to go Don Harmon get completely outfoxed by the Senate Republicans. If you think this makes you look smart and powerful - think again.
Comment by Anchors Away Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 8:59 am
Why did 18 Democrats sit on their hands? Let’s put the blame where it belongs. There’s 18 places to start.
Comment by Club J Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 9:00 am
@Alice Childress: == what’s the end goal for an offender sent to prison? ==
In America it has always been vengeance and bloodlust, as far as I can tell. Any attempt to even consider any alternative other than longer sentences and harsher conditions turns into certain segments immediately calling their opponents ’soft on crime.’
Just look at the current SCOTUS nomination hearings. A former public defender was nominated, and basically the entirety of the case against her has been “she did her job as a public defender” and “she pushed back on indefinite torture and overly punitive sex offender laws”
Comment by Homebody Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 9:02 am
I think the Senate President should explain what he’s doing. What I thought was a failure to lead, now looks like he may be leading a mutiny.
Comment by Lincoln Lad Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 9:13 am
The old adage of “never have a vote on anything as the leader unless the desired vote result is realized”…
… the how, the result, the numbers and rationale to the dude that defeated the motion… the nuance and the real to public policy and frankly, “personnel is policy” or in this case nominees are policy… in the chamber comically seen as the “silent” chamber in these past months, a great deal is being said, but are any sides listening to each other or listening to what they are saying too?
It’s not that there are no winners here, it’s that somehow dysfunction has won because the politics and governing that should be striving for function can’t reconcile what every side wants as the end game.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 9:17 am
===… now looks like he may be leading a mutiny.===
I’d like to publicly hear the Senate President talk to what the 18 are saying, how he as president sees their concern(s) and also speak to the simplicity of process, just process too.
Clarity, publicly, might help tamp down speculation.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 9:20 am
Perhaps he can also explain why he delivered no votes in JCAR on the Gov’s mask mandate in schools. Granted the SC overturned the lower court ruling based on the lack of JCAR support.
Comment by Lincoln Lad Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 9:34 am
It has been said that this Administration isn’t much for the “Advise” portion of the Advise and Consent role of the Senate.
Sometimes the Executive needs a little reminder. Suspect this should do it.
Comment by Get Back Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 9:36 am
= Cunningham, whose district is inhabited by a lot of Chicago police officers,=
What a weird turn of phrase - inhabited by? Tribune needs new editors
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 9:37 am
It’s likewise noted that the Senate President’s first responsibility is supporting the interests of the constituency that delivered a super majority. Those interests aren’t defined by business interests and fundraising. There are social interests too. Time to end the circular firing squad that seems to have formed.
Comment by Lincoln Lad Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 9:40 am
The public takes a residual risk whenever anyone is let out early. All it takes is for one person out early to injure someone to trigger the issue, if he had not been let out early then there would be no victim.
But that does have to be balanced by the reality that you are warehousing people who may have been rehabilitated or who may be at special risk in prison or have other special circumstances.
I’m not sure where the balance is. And maybe instead of having parole at all move to realistic sentences. So instead of giving some guy 15 years and figuring he’ll be out on parole in 8, just give him 8 years without parole. But then again, parole is supposed to prepare offenders for re-entry, on the other hand, their supervision is sometimes a tyrranny that results in them being revoked for stupid reasons, having nothing to do with their crime. In Iowa I have a neighbor like that, in and out of jail. Sometimes for dumb things like drunkenness even though he wasn’t driving and his original crime had nothing to do with booze.
Comment by cermak_rd Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 9:47 am
Blaming Republicans when an equal number of Democratic Senators declined to vote?
Normally I would chalk this one up to a nice deflection to the real problem at hand. This deflection defies such an analysis.
Comment by Louis G Atsaves Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 9:48 am
- Lincoln Lad -
You’re hitting in all cylinders, good stuff.
You have made me think, and it continues to point to what exactly is the president’s end game, and being more pointed, is he siding, as close as can be to overtly, with the 18, or trying to allow the fracture to commonality here be a public event for folks too see?
If it’s purely politically driven with a concern to financial worries to races, he should just say so at this point(?)
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 9:52 am
Good point from Ellie.
Comment by Peanut Gallery Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 9:56 am
It has been said that this Administration isn’t much for the “Advise” portion of the Advise and Consent role of the Senate.
Ahh so the Mike Madigan way huh? Not sure that’s th threat you think it is after the last few weeks.
Comment by Anchors Away Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 9:56 am
Here’s yesterday’s roll call (AM 1020101): https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/votehistory/102/senate/10200AM1020101_03222022_020000.pdf
Locally Sen. Doris Turner was one of the 18 non-voters.
Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 9:59 am
I can’t help but think it goes back to the Gov’s support for Kim Lightford for the President role. This looks to be a lesson in “how to destroy a super majority”. It might actually be time for Speaker Welch to get involved behind the scenes. I give credit to the Gov for not putting the senate on the spot publicly for the clear lack of support.
Comment by Lincoln Lad Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 9:59 am
Maybe, and just maybe, lawmakers voted their individual concerns and there is no greater agenda.
It’s a post-Madigan world people.
Anything is possible.
Comment by Leigh John-Ella Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 10:12 am
Is it just me, or do the Democrats look weak and unorganized on this? Yes, they killed the appointment - by 18 of them doing nothing. On a matter of considerable importance they chose not to weigh in. Someone is going to use that vote in a mail piece. Circular firing squad indeed.
Comment by My 2 cents Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 10:13 am
==“I’m, personally, of the belief that individuals who kill police officers should serve a life sentence without any possibility of parole”==
Ok, but that’s not what the law says. The law allows for parole and appointees to the PRB should follow the law. Only approving appointees who agree to ignore the law seems like the wrong approach.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 10:26 am
==Is it just me, or do the Democrats look weak and unorganized on this? ==
Actually the non voting Dems look quite organized on this. Question being discussed is who’s doing the organizing.
Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 10:28 am
People know I am not a Rauner fan but I think all, including honest Democrats, can agree that Rauner did a better job regarding prisons and prisoners than Pritzker.
Comment by Lurker Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 10:30 am
To Responsa, point taken, but not voting could be used against them. PRB has an important function and they chose not to vote on an appointment.
Comment by My 2 cents Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 10:46 am
= I give credit to the Gov for not putting the senate on the spot publicly for the clear lack of support.=
Put down the Kool Aid, it’s not that complicated. The Governor wanted to appoint individuals that many members of the senate didn’t want to vote in favor of. So the Governor just pulled appointments before the deadlines and then reappointed. But when the senate republicans got some coverage of the gaming of the system, the Governor decided to blame the senate. This is despite the fact that the committee can’t vote on appointments the Governor pulled right before the meetings.
The real question is, the Governor knows there’s bad blood between he and the senate president (and many senators)… So why was his answer here to throw gas on that fire and blame the senate? This is the governors mess that he made and then decided to make worse. Good for Harmon’s caucus formpuahing back.
Comment by phenom_Anon Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 10:48 am
Obviously I know politics gets in the way of this, but I’d love an actual discussion of the parole decisions and an affirmative defense.
I for one think 50 years in jail is sufficient. And if we are serious about our mass incarceration problem we must look at decreasing those sentences.
Comment by JJJJJJJJJJ Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 10:58 am
I meant someone defending the merits of the prb’s decisions**
Comment by JJJJJJJJJJ Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 11:00 am
===Good for Harmon’s caucus (for pushing) back.===
Meh. If I’m being generous It’d be a passive-aggressive pushing back, seemingly Harmon’s style, which would then put some onus on Harmon here in which Harmon takes no “credit” for the outcome.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 11:08 am
=And if we are serious about our mass incarceration problem we must look at decreasing that sentences=
Illinois is at 3 decades low in terms of total prisoners…
https://newschannel20.com/news/local/illinois-prison-population-the-lowest-its-been-in-3-decades
Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 11:14 am
== Maybe, and just maybe, lawmakers voted their individual concerns and there is no greater agenda. ==
Yep. Sometimes this simplest possible answer is the correct one.
And, by the way, does the governor’s office ever bother to run a roll call in either chamber before a vote is called?
Comment by CLR Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 11:24 am
Conversely, perhaps the Senate Pres has chosen to use the confirmation process as a lever for his friends. That may have nothing to do with the nominee and everything to do with what special interests want.
Comment by Lincoln Lad Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 12:15 pm
Is there a reason why the IL PRB has not posted an annual report since ‘19? Is there a mandate or something to present to the Guv?
https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/prb/Pages/prb15anlrpt.aspx
Comment by Jockey Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 12:20 pm
=Ahh so the Mike Madigan way huh? Not sure that’s th threat you think it is after the last few weeks.=
No. I am referring to the Legitimate Advise and Consent role as prescribed by the IL Constitution.
It is no secret that the Administration is not skilled in this area and has been a clumsy, hot mess in this area since the outset.
Comment by Get Back Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 12:29 pm
===Well, when democrat laws===
Welp, I guess you unglued yourself long enough from NewsMax, OAN, or FoxNews to comment.
If 3 decades is your “jam”, in 1992, Edgar was governor, until 1998, then Geo. Ryan… then 4 years of Rauner…
I know, I know… “but Madigan, Democrat state”…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 1:58 pm
=“I’m, personally, of the belief that individuals who kill police officers should serve a life sentence without any possibility of parole,=
I would agree. However, this should be applied to all citizens and not just the police. Certainly the police have a special situation in that they are more likely to encounter dangerous individuals. But ALL life is worth the same and responsibility for taking such life should be administered equally.
Comment by Unconventional wisdom Wednesday, Mar 23, 22 @ 2:19 pm