| COMMISSIONER SEAN MORRISON’S STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR PRITZKER SIGNING HOUSE BILL 3653 This week, we witnessed Governor Pritzker sign into law HB 2653, a massive criminal justice reform bill. This 700 page bill was quickly passed during the state legislature’s Lame Duck session in January. A piece of legislation of this size and magnitude deserved a much more transparent and open public review process which the Illinois General Assembly and Governor Pritzker did not provide. Instead, they rammed the bill through at 4:00am in the morning while the public was asleep in bed to avoid any kind of scrutiny. I stand with the Illinois Law Enforcement Coalition in opposition to this new law. While shootings, murders and car jackings skyrocket in Chicago this one-sided criminal justice reform law, championed by State’s Attorney Kim Foxx and other notable elected officials, clearly favors criminals over law-abiding residents and police officers. This new law is very likely to have a negative impact on public safety in Cook County and across our state. Will this new law make our communities safer? I do not believe it will. It makes the job of police officers significantly more difficult. It weakens proactive policing measures and will put police officers in a defensive posture. It makes the ability of criminals to exploit or sidestep law enforcement that much easier. It also weakens protections for crime victims. Ultimately, it will not make our communities safer. By signing this bill, Governor Pritzker clearly showed his anti-police bias, and he put the interests of criminals and criminal behavior ahead of preserving the safety of Illinois residents and communities. Commissioner Sean M. Morrison17th District – Cook County  Commissioner Sean M. Morrison 17th District – Cook County15040 Ravinia Avenue, Suite 44Orland Park, Illinois 60462708-349-1336 (P)708-349-1627 (F)www.SeanMorrison.com |
