Opposition to the new criminal justice reform act was swift and loud yesterday. Local state representative Mike Marron says Republicans were voicing their opposition on the floor of the Bank of Springfield Center around 11:30 Wednesday when Democrats suddenly voted to end the debate and start voting on it.
“It was a ‘defund the police’ bill,” he explained after the vote was taken. “This wasn’t the right time for it, being rushed through at the very end of a lame-duck session, with people voting on it who aren’t going to be state reps in a short amount of time.”
And State Representative Tom Bennett, who represents areas of northern Vermilion County, including Hoopeston, says the bill does not accomplish what some people intended that it would.
“This will not make our communities safer,” Bennett said. “It will not create economic stability, and it does not support our local law enforcement. It does not help victims recover. It does not lower crime, nor does it decrease violence. This bill is not the answer.”
The new bill also bans the purchase of military-grade equipment by local law enforcement and establishes a system of certifying police officers around the state.
