Lake County Gazette

Illinois’ lawmakers passed a criminal justice reform bill, but the fight over that legislation, which manifested before its adoption, continues.

State Rep. Tom Weber (R-Lake Villa) is backing a petition calling for support of state law enforcement in response to the criminal justice reform bill.

“Please sign the petition if you support our police and oppose HB 163,” the petition said posted to Weber’s website.

The Democratic-led reforms, bolstered by support from the Legislative Black Caucus, included ending cash bails and requiring officers to wear body cameras. The final version removed the clause allowing the state to deny funds to municipalities failing to comply with body camera regulations.

The petition states that “As the opioid crisis continues to ravage our communities, this is the wrong time to change possession of hard drugs like heroin and meth from a felony to a misdemeanor.”

Weber joins other Republican policymakers and law enforcement officials who have raised objections about the legislation approved on Jan. 13.

In a statement days before lawmakers approved the legislation, the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police posted several statements to its website in objection.

“Supporters of this bill must believe that the police are villains and adversaries of the 12.5 million Illinoisans they are sworn to protect and serve,” the association posted. “So it is disappointing to see that anyone would propose legislation that is so divisive in times when we all need to come together for the betterment of our communities and our state.”

Lawmakers pushed forward with the reform legislation following the multiple deaths of Black Americans by police officers, including the high-profile incidents of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer and Breonna Taylor, who was shot by police in her Louisville, Kentucky home.