SE Illinois News

Republican state Rep. Paul Jacobs is part of the growing posse hoping to see Gov. J.B. Pritzker ride to the rescue against the newly passed criminal justice reform bill.  

“It’s absolutely ludicrous that we would even be considering a bill like this, but at this point the only chance we have is for the governor not to sign off on it,” Jacobs told the SE Illinois News. “We as republicans fought to get some things dropped from the measure, but it’s just not in the best interest of the state as a whole.”

 Jacobs’ objections aside, the Criminal Justice Reform bill now only awaits the signature of the governor in officially becoming the law of the land after democrats banded to pass legislation that paves the way for a system that includes doing away with cash bails and requiring that every officer across the state ultimately be equipped with a body camera.

Bolstered by support from the Legislative Black Caucus, the bill that also seeks to do away with chokeholds and require officers to go through more extensive training is expected to be quickly signed off on by Pritzker.

“This bill simply handcuffs officers in ways they shouldn’t have to deal with,” Jacobs added. “It’s filled with unfunded mandates when the state is already cash-strapped. The part about body cameras may not be a bad idea but you have to be able to pay for it and we don’t have the money for anything.”

Making matters even worse, Jacobs said he’s totally disgusted with the way the bill was put forward and advanced.  

“Ramming a bill down the throats of other members in the early-morning hours of the session is no way to do major legislation,” he said. “A bill of this magnitude needs to have more voices before it’s advanced to this point.”