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* Summary of Amendment 2 to HB798, which has been sent to the House Executive Committee…
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the William P. “Bill” Wozniak Memorial Act. Amends the Secretary of State Act. Provides that the Secretary of State, in collaboration with the Office of the Architect of the Capitol, shall install and maintain: (1) automated license plate readers in positions around the State Capitol Complex that offer the most strategic advantage for security monitoring and incident response; and (2) hardened security posts in the State Capitol Complex where law enforcement personnel of the Secretary of State Police Department and other security personnel are stationed while on duty. Provides that the Secretary of State shall replace, install, and maintain: (1) enhanced security screening devices at entrances of secured areas in the State Capitol Complex; and (2) identification card verification checkpoints at entrances of secured areas in the State Capitol Complex. Provides that the Secretary of State shall identify acceptable forms of identification that may be used to gain access to secured areas in the State Capitol Complex. Provides that the Secretary of State shall adopt rules to: (1) establish a chain of command based in Springfield for police and other security personnel responding to an incident at the State Capitol Complex; (2) authorize administrative personnel based in Springfield to issue emergency orders in response to an incident at the State Capitol Complex; (3) provide mitigation and response training to law enforcement personnel of the Secretary of State Police Department and other security personnel who are stationed at the State Capitol Complex; (4) create a volunteer training program to allow security personnel employed by the Secretary of State to successfully complete firearm training and qualify to carry firearms only while on duty at the State Capitol Complex and provide incentive compensation to all trained and qualified individuals; and (5) adopt and enforce security procedures for legislators, staff, lobbyists, and visitors entering the State Capitol Complex, including procedures to allow law enforcement personnel of the Secretary of State Police Department and other security personnel to perform additional screening on any individual seeking to enter a secured area at the discretion of the law enforcement personnel or security personnel.
Your thoughts on this?
* Daily Herald…
In his more than two decades as a law enforcement officer, Naperville Police Chief Jason Arres has witnessed plenty of reckless behavior and dangerous driving on suburban roads.
But nothing compares to what he’s seen over the past few years of what officials are calling an “epidemic” of drivers fleeing from police, often at high speeds that put everyone on the roads in peril.
“The drastic increase in fleeings we’ve seen in recent years is a level of lawlessness I haven’t seen in my 23 years in this profession,” Arres said at a press conference last week promoting legislation aimed at deterring such behavior and punishing those who commit it.
Senate Bill 1807, introduced by Senate Minority Leader John Curran of Downers Grove and co-sponsored by several fellow suburban lawmakers, would make fleeing by car from the police a Class 4 felony, instead of the misdemeanor it is today.
The bill is stuck in Senate Assignments, so it’s probably not going anywhere.
From a Daily Herald editorial about the bill…
Without question, there is some point of judgment for police between simply allowing criminal suspects to speed away with no fear of a chase and pursuing them at high speeds through busy suburban roadways, with circumstances varying from the traffic and road conditions to the level of crime under suspicion. But the judgment of the offenders also needs some influences of its own, and the potential of adding another felony and more prison time to whatever penalties drivers already face surely can give them cause to consider restraint.
From Benjamin Ruddell at the ACLU of Illinois…
The linked article cites data showing an increase in reported fleeing incidents in Naperville/DuPage County—not statewide. But even if there was evidence of a statewide trend, what is lacking here is any evidence whatsoever that the proposed solution—a penalty enhancement—would provide any “greater deterrence” as suggested by the quoted police chief. In general, research shows that increasing penalties does little to nothing to deter crime. Why would we think this is any different?
There is no data cited about how many of the individuals in these reported Naperville/DuPage incidents were charged with fleeing and eluding, or the disposition of those charges. That would be important information in evaluating the claim that the upward trend in incidents has anything at all to do with the criminal penalties. There is also no data cited about the frequency of fleeing incidents in jurisdictions that classify this offense as a felony, as compared to Illinois.
As in other contexts, identifying something as a problem doesn’t mean that enacting harsher penalties would be any kind of solution to that problem. At this point, the burden of proof should fall squarely on the proponents of these measures to demonstrate that their proposed solutions can actually be expected to work. They haven’t done that here.
Discuss.
* Leader McCombie…
During a subject matter hearing held at the Capitol last week to address ongoing delays within the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), the agency announced a revised deadline for implementing necessary updates.
Persistent delays, breakdowns in communication, lost applications, and general dysfunction have sparked bipartisan frustration with IDFPR, issues that were initially brought to light during a subject-matter hearing last summer. Since then, deadlines for improvement have come and gone, and the new date of June 8th was revealed last Wednesday.
At the same time IDFPR is facing significant delays impacting countless Illinois residents, including essential workers, a different state agency continues to improve efficiency. The Secretary of State is offering “do it online” renewals for drivers licenses, marking a stark contrast to the troubles of IDFPR, which offers online renewals for only some licenses.
“House Republicans want to get people to work, so let’s fix the simple things, address the growing procurement issues and eliminate red tape,” said House Minority Leader Tony McCombie.
McCombie has been vocal about the issues at IDFPR and filed legislation to solve problems at the agency. The Leader introduced the License Convenience Act (House Bill 4855), to mandate the department to accept electronic payments for licenses and fees–but the bill was prevented from moving forward in the Illinois House, despite bipartisan support.“This is about fixing things in our state that aren’t working, this agency is not adequately serving residents and we must invoke change,” continued McCombie.
McCombie’s legislation is here: Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB4855 (ilga.gov).
Some legislators tell me that they spend more time helping constituents deal with IDFPR than anything else. It’s just ridiculous. People shouldn’t have to go through this.
* Rep. Rashid and Sen. Porfirio…
Today, State Representative Abdelnasser Rashid (D-Bridgeview) passed legislation out of the Illinois House that protects renters by requiring landlords to provide important information about flooding risk and history. SB 2601, sponsored by State Senator Mike Porfirio (D-Lyons Township), passed the Senate on April 10th with bipartisan support.
“This bill is a crucial step toward ensuring the safety and wellbeing of tenants across the state,” said Sen. Porfirio. “By requiring landlords to disclose flood hazards, we are arming renters with the knowledge they need to protect themselves and their families from potential harm.”
“Even one flooding event can be financially catastrophic to a family,” said Rep. Rashid. “With climate change making floods much more common and extreme, this is one important step we can take to protect working families.”
Prospective renters should know whether the unit they are considering renting has a history of flooding or lies in a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Special Flood Hazard Area. This information will help them make informed decisions about whether to purchase flood insurance. Many renters may not know that flooding protection is not typically included in renter’s insurance.
Through this bill, property owners must inform prospective tenants if their property lies within a high-risk flooding area. Additionally, landlords renting out units on lower levels, including garden, basement, and first floor units, must disclose whether any of these units have experienced flooding within the past decade.
SB 2601 is now on its way to Governor Pritzker’s desk.
* More…
* Lawmakers weigh Illinois child tax credit as they negotiate budget: Though lawmakers filed a bill proposing the tax credit, lawmakers would pass it through the state budget. “It’s a $300 credit that’s going to go to half the children in the State of Illinois. We get there by offering the credit to families that are making about the median income of the State of Illinois,” said Erion Malasi with Economic Security for Illinois, an organization supporting the credit.
* Prosecutor opposes bill to help moms whose babies are born with drugs in system: The hope is that by taking away the threat of losing custody of a baby, mothers would be more likely to seek treatment. The initiative was prompted by a finding that the leading cause of death in Illinois among expectant or new mothers is drug use. Almost one-third of the 263 such mothers who died in 2018 to 2020 died of substance use, the state Department of Public Health reported. The proposed change in the law would create a task force to develop a plan for helping infants and mothers exposed to illicit drugs during pregnancy. These family recovery plans would include medical care, recovery support and referrals to community services for the child and caregiver.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, May 14, 24 @ 12:54 pm
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SB 1807
Fleeing law enforcement has increased nationwide, not just in Illinois. In response to some horrific crashes, St. Louis community groups have asked law enforcement to, essentially, reduce enforcement activities far more drastically than proposed by Rep. Slaughter.
Not sure if this legislation is the answer, but something needs to be done.
Comment by Anyone Remember Tuesday, May 14, 24 @ 1:07 pm
=give them cause to consider restraint.=
Penalty enhancements are not a deterrent. This has been studied again and again. And I’m glad the ACLU weighed in.
The only thing that deters crime is the perception that you will be caught, not how long you go to jail after the fact. Sadly most of these individuals know that the police will call off a chase if it puts people in danger, all while filming it for the TikTok views.
https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/five-things-about-deterrence
Comment by that’s bettor Tuesday, May 14, 24 @ 1:09 pm
Maybe Naperville and DuPage can try the proven solutions mentioned in this Washington Post article from nearly two years ago (do they have Google or the Washington Post in Naperville?). Of course, that would only apply if they are actually interested in safe and effective policing, not chasing people because it gives cops a thrill.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/interactive/2022/police-misconduct-insurance-settlements-reform/
Comment by Google Is Your Friend Tuesday, May 14, 24 @ 1:14 pm
“Prosecutor opposes bill to help moms whose babies are born with drugs in system”
The measure is supported by the Illinois State Medical Society, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Illinois, the Illinois chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
Perhaps Patrick Kenneally should stick to what he does best: misleading the public about the SAFE-T Act.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Tuesday, May 14, 24 @ 1:16 pm
How long does the Governor allow Secretary Treto to fix problems at DFPR? Surprised he is still there after all opportunities he has been given and every deadline has been blown.
Comment by Thinking Tuesday, May 14, 24 @ 1:18 pm
Technology may help with the fleeing issue. Cops can hang back and let plate readers track the vehicle’s movements, and/or a drone could be deployed to follow the car. That would give the cops time to set up a roadblock or otherwise move in on the vehicle in a more controlled, safer location.
Comment by thechampaignlife Tuesday, May 14, 24 @ 1:19 pm
I would think so hat if you were inclined to speed away from police you might be more inclined if it were a felony and not stop
Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, May 14, 24 @ 1:21 pm
There is actual research on chases from the DOJ and it suggests that in most cases, chasing does not make sense:
https://portal.cops.usdoj.gov/resourcecenter/content.ashx/cops-r1134-pub.pdf
One of the points is that 90 percent of fleeing cases are for traffic violations and that there is no evidence not chasing leads to a higher chance of fleeing (in fact a small decrease in fleeing in places with more restrictive pursuit policies).
ISP’s policy on chasing primarily for those being sought with forcible felonies is highlighted.
Too much of criminal justice policy is designed to “get” people and not the better standard of maximize overall safety.
Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, May 14, 24 @ 1:31 pm
===Perhaps Patrick Kenneally should stick to what he does best: misleading the public about the SAFE-T Act.
The answer is always that Patrick Kenneally knows better than…everyone else.
Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, May 14, 24 @ 1:32 pm
As long as they are discussing security issues at the Statehouse, it would probably require adding additional “mags” and screening post, but for the life of me I’ve never understood allowing people with lobbyist, staffer or lawmakers IDs to bypass being screened.
Maybe create a dedicated “Mag station” for those with certain IDs to use but we are way past the point of anyone feeling they are too important to be screened.
Just my opinion that carries a large Fiscal Note.
Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, May 14, 24 @ 1:45 pm
An easy security improvement would be having the guards stop playing games and watching shows on their iPhones as you walk in and out of the buildings.
Comment by Walter Tuesday, May 14, 24 @ 2:26 pm
Deterrence is one of those things that sounds good on paper to people who have time to think rationally.
It’s much less likely to be on someone’s mind when they’re literally in fight or flight mode and their body is flooded with adrenaline, cortisol, and emotions.
Comment by Techie Tuesday, May 14, 24 @ 2:27 pm
I can tell you from 22 years in law enforcement, fleeing and eluding is rising dramatically everywhere.
If increasing the penalty isn’t the answer, what is? You seriously think just let them go? Why would anyone ever stop then?
Comment by Deputy Sheriff Tuesday, May 14, 24 @ 2:58 pm
===You seriously think just let them go?===
Who said that? Class A Misdemeanor is up to 364 days in jail.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, May 14, 24 @ 3:06 pm
Is the Sec of State asking for the power to impose ID requirements to petition the government?
Comment by Stephanie Kollmann Tuesday, May 14, 24 @ 3:56 pm