Rep. Tim Ozinga 'Disappointed' In Gov. Pritzker Signing HB 3653

TINLEY PARK, IL — Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Monday signed a sweeping package of criminal law and police accountability reforms, making Illinois the first state in the nation to abolish cash bail for pretrial detention, and some local officials are disappointed in his decision.

Pritzker held a signing ceremony Monday at Chicago State University with state lawmakers, law enforcement members and activists from community groups.

House Bill 3653, a criminal justice omnibus bill sponsored by the Legislative Black Caucus, passed the Senate 32-23 and the House by a vote of 60-50 with about an hour remaining in last month's lame-duck legislative session.

State Rep. Tim Ozinga, R-Mokena, voted against the bill. On Monday, he released a statement saying he is disappointed.

"Regarding policing in our state, I have been on the record stating ways I support improving, streamlining, and making policing as a whole more efficient. This is the same open-minded approach I have with any agency or entity in Illinois. However, this discussion needs to include the most impacted people – those enforcing our laws," Ozinga said. "Passed in the dead of night, legislators had no opportunity to study and find out what is in the bill. Many bad policies are coming to light in the bill, such as massive unfunded mandates, undercutting judge discretion, and constant contradictory language."

Ozinga added, "I am disappointed the governor decided to toss these concerns aside instead of vetoing this legislation and allow the General Assembly to do our work correctly."

Pritzker said the bill's sponsors had pushed the state to address systemic racism following national protests against police violence and in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

"They transformed the pain into progress, and, in just a few minutes, into law," Pritzker said. The governor said the bill would make the state safer, and said opponents of the law do not believe there is injustice in the criminal law systems.

"All Illinoisans will live in a safer and more just state with this law on the books," he said. "This legislation marks a substantial step toward dismantling the systemic racism that plagues our community, our state and our nation and brings us closer to true safety, true fairness and true justice."

Police unions and other associations representing law enforcement officials have opposed the bill.

Last week, the state lodge of the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police released the results of a January survey of 1,500 members that found police officers oppose the reforms. Nearly half said they were actively looking into leaving Illinois, with 40 percent of that group indicating they will leave the field of law enforcement entirely.

A total of 97 percent of responding officers "feel physically or financially threatened by the provisions of the legislation," 97 percent said it will have an effect on the way "they, their families and friends will vote in future elections" and 99 percent thought it would "embolden criminals."

Read more about the laws signed by Pritzker here.

Patch Editor Jonah Meadows contributed to this report.

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