In the early hours of January 13, House Bill 3653, formerly House Bill 163, a dangerous criminal justice reform proposal passed out of the Senate.
State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) issued the following statement in opposition to the measure:
“At three in the morning, Democrat lawmakers throw a 700-page bill on our desks and ask that we vote on a complex criminal reform proposal only an hour later. That’s not feasible and, more importantly, that is not how effective reform is passed.
“House Bill 3653 might be a new bill number, but it’s the same bad bill that we opposed under House Bill 163. This proposal will put violent offenders back on the streets, puts an end to cash bail, endangers our residents and threatens the law enforcement profession in Illinois. It’s unbelievable.
“The safety and wellbeing of our communities and citizens are at stake here. We cannot afford not to get criminal justice reform right. Unfortunately, those who supported this bill, did not agree.
“I respect our local law enforcement and value the safety of our communities above all else. This was shortsighted and devastating anti-police legislation that should not have passed. I voted no this morning and vow to continue standing with our police officers.”
House Bill 3653 passed the Senate by a vote of 32 to 23.