Petition Urges Gov. Pritzker to Veto Illinois Police Reform Bill

Opponents of the Police Reform Bill say it doesn't allow police to fulfill their sworn oath nor keep us safe. If you agree, you should sign this petition.

The creator of this petition is hoping it will gain enough strength for Governor Pritzker to strongly consider vetoing the bill (HB 3653). Sponsors of the bill, Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, introduced the bill in response to nationwide calls for police reform following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last year.

Like any bill, there are parts you're going to be in favor of, and parts you're not. While I haven't been able to read the several hundred pages of this bill, I'm a huge fan of all police being equipped with body cams.

A quick look at Illinois Police Reform Bill HB 3653:

• Elimination of cash bail within 2 years
• Makes it easier to decertify officers by eliminating signed affidavit of complaint
• Limits the purchase of specialized tactical equipment
• Allow the use of deadly force only when an officer acts in self defense or defending others from bodily harm
• Mandates the use of police body cameras for all officers by 2025

The Change.org petition is urging Pritzker to veto the legislation, which at present, has over 135,000 signatures.

Earlier this week, Governor Pritzker released a statement supporting the reforms:

“I have long held that an essential mark of good governance is a willingness to change the laws that have failed the people of Illinois. This criminal justice package carries with it the opportunity to shape our state into a lesson in true justice for the nation by abolishing cash bail, modernizing sentencing laws, instituting a certification and decertification system for police officers statewide, requiring body cameras, reforming crowd control response, and amplifying law enforcement training standards. I was proud to make ending cash bail and modernizing sentencing laws a legislative priority of my administration, and I have long pledged my support to the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus in their efforts to pass not just criminal justice reform and police accountability measures, but also to truly root out the systemic racism that pulses through all our nation’s institutions by pursuing greater equity in healthcare, higher goals in education, and deeper investments in economic opportunity for communities that have for too long been left out and left behind.

“In addition to recognizing the countless activists and advocates who have dedicated years – if not lifetimes – to pushing for change in a nation that locks people up at the highest rate in the world, I want to specifically offer my gratitude to Committee Chairs Representative Justin Slaughter and Senator Elgie Sims, Senator Robert Peters, Attorney General Kwame Raoul, the ACLU of Illinois, the Coalition to End Money Bond, the Illinois Justice Project, the People’s Lobby, and all who have committed themselves to building a fairer and more equitable Illinois.”

[H/T My Stateline]

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