Madison County authorities join to unanimously oppose criminal reform legislation
State’s Attorney Tom Haine and authorities from every Madison County police jurisdictions have joined to oppose proposed criminal reforms contained in House Bill 3563 (previously House Bill 163).
Haine (shown) called an emergency meeting this week of police chiefs, the result being a letter issued Wednesday and signed by what appears to be the sheriff and every police chief in Madison County. Here is the joint statement condemning the bill:
“The unanimous message of the Madison County law enforcement community to our legislature and Governor is: this bill cannot become law, but should be paused and reconsidered next session. In our professional opinion, as drafted, this so-called “reform” would in fact devastate our ability to keep our communities safe and enforce the law fairly and equally for all. Good intentions and some worthwhile reforms are not enough to justify the enactment of so many bad policies at the same time. Public safety and victim’s rights are delicate issues that require time and serious consideration by all stakeholders. Here, only a week after a 600+ page bill was proposed that revolutionizes virtually every aspect of the criminal justice system in Illinois, it is being rushed to the floor for a vote without consideration for unintended consequences. Illinois communities should not become the testing ground for the rest of the country for rushed and ill-conceived ideas, especially where public safety is concerned. We urge the concerned citizens of Madison County to contact their legislators and the Governor to prevent the passage or signing of this disastrous bill.”
A press release is signed by:
State’s Attorney Tom Haine
Sheriff John Lakin
Alton Police Chief Marcos Pulido
Bethalto Police Chief Mike Dixon
Collinsville Police Chief Stephen Evans
East Alton Police Chief Darren Carlton
Edwardsville Police Chief Jay Keeven
Glen Carbon Police Chief Todd Link
Granite City Police Chief Kenneth Rozell
Grantfork Police Chief Justin Rottman
Hamel Police Chief Timothy Connell
Hartford Police Chief Brandon Flanigan
Highland Police Chief Christopher Conrad
Madison Police Chief Nicholas Gailius
Marine Police Chief Brent Stewart
Maryville Police Chief Robert Carpenter
Pontoon Beach Police Chief Chris Modrusic
Roxana Police Chief Will Cunningham
SIUE Police Chief Kevin Schmoll
South Roxana Police Chief Larry Coles
St Jacob Police Chief Gary Kukla
Troy Police Chief Brad Parsons
Venice Police Chief Norman Adams
Williamson Police Chief Wayne Watkins
Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells
Worden Police Chief Dale Volle
