Lake County Gazette

State Rep. Chris Bos (R-Lake Zurich) believes that Illinois' criminal justice reform bill is more about politics and not necessarily policing. 

"It appears to be checking off a bunch of political boxes and not necessarily trying to rectify a particular situation that may or may not be representative of every state police department," Bos told the Lake County Gazette. "I would say there's definitely plenty of overreach."

Bos' comments came a few days before the Illinois General Assembly approved the criminal justice package on Jan. 13, and when he had not yet been sworn-in to his post. 

The Republican freshman legislator is part of a GOP-led effort questioning the criminal justice bills' priorities, purpose and rushed approval. 

In the final hours of the 101st Legislative Session, the Democratic-led House and Senate approved the sweeping criminal justice reform bill on Jan. 13.

Some of the reforms include doing away with cash bails and requiring officers to wear body cameras. The final version also removed the clause that allowed the state to deny funds to municipalities that don't comply with body camera regulations.

With support coming from the Legislative Black Caucus, the measure awaits the signature of Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

Lawmakers pushed forward with reform legislation following the multiple death of Black Americans by police officers in 2020, including the high-profile deaths of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer and Breonna Taylor, who was shot by police in her Louisville, Kentucky home.

"For me, the biggest problem centers around the issue of liability," Bos added. "The fact that officers could be personally held liable for having to make split-second decisions for themselves and others strikes me as tough. Lawmakers dropped this portion of the legislation. 

Bos claimed that the timing and approach to hammer the bill through has former House Speaker Mike Madigan's (D-Chicago) fingerprints all over it.

"I think either they know this thing is not going to pass and it was written to be able to say we tried to do something about the issue or know it will pass because of some backdoor deal with Madigan in order to secure his reelection as House Speaker," he said. "Everyone I know that has talked to their constituents say they're opposed, but in the end who knows what deals have been made."

Democrats did not pick Madigan to continue as House speaker. Instead, Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch (D-Hillside) was appointed — making him the first Black American to hold the post.