State Representative Mike Marron says he expects Governor J.B. Pritzker will sign a sweeping new criminal justice bill into law….
{“You know, I would be very surprised if the governor doesn’t sign it. He’s indicated that he supports it. And I think it’s going to become law – unfortunately.”}
Marron talked with VermilionCountyFirst.com News about the bill Saturday afternoon as he attended a rally in support of police outside Danville’s Public Safety Building.
Representative Marron explained why he opposed the bill…
{“You know, the first thing was I thought that the process was very bad. To pass something that significant in a lame-duck session – in the middle of the night – they should have taken a little more time, (and) been a little more deliberate. And they need to get the input of law enforcement. That was one of the worst things. They passed something that’s going to pretty significantly change the way law enforcement operates, and the police groups weren’t even at the table during the discussions,’’ said Marron.
And Marron cited some of the specifics of the bill that has him concerned…
{“Well, it’s going to eliminate cash bail which I feel is problematic. It’s going to greatly restrict the way law enforcement can handle certain situations. It’s really going to constrain them and make their job more difficult. And it’s going to allow for things like anonymous complaints of law enforcement officers, which is very problematic,’’ added Marron. “It’s going to make the job of the police and the job of prosecutors a lot tougher.”}
The Illinois Law Enforcement Coalition said Wednesday that the bill was pushed through in the middle of the night with little transparency or time for constituents to weigh in on the legislation.
{Note: Those officers seen in the background of the photo of Representative Marron, along with some other officers, walked past the demonstrators during shift-changing time to thank them for their support.}
