Communities less safe thanks to new, sweeping police policies

Oakland, IL – State Representative Chris Miller (R-Oakland) says newly approved legislation aimed at changing police policy in Illinois will only serve to make communities more dangerous.

In the wee hours of the morning the Illinois Senate approved House Bill 3653 and a few hours later, the House followed suit. The House passed HB 3653 with just 60 votes, which is the minimum number of votes required to pass a piece of legislation.

“One of the provisions of this bill is to eliminate cash bail,” Miller said. “I understand and am sympathetic to low-income people who cannot afford to post bail. I get it and I certainly would be open to having a discussion on reforms but to eliminate it altogether seems very dangerous to me. Innocent people will be hurt and even killed as the result of the actions take today on the House floor.”

House Bill 3653 eliminates cash bail within two years; further restricts the use of deadly force; eliminates the signed affidavit of complaint to expedite the decertification of officers; places limitations on police departments in the purchase of specialized tactical gear and finally it mandates all police officers to wear body cameras by 2025. The legislation moves to the Governor’s desk for his signature.

“What we are doing here is making it even tougher for police departments to hire and retain good officers,” Miller said. “House Bill 3653 was forced through at the last minute despite good faith efforts by opponents of the bill to try to work out a true compromise. This legislation is an affront to the men and women who risk their lives to keep our communities safe. Today is a sad day for Illinois.”