From State Rep. Dan Ugaste:

Ugaste Responds: Criminal Justice Reform Bill Signed into Law

GENEVA—Governor Pritzker signed the controversial criminal justice reform legislation into law today, which had passed during the final hours of lame duck session in the Illinois House earlier this year.

State Representative Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) who was opposed to House Bill 3653 released the following statement in response:

“I stand opposed to this legislation and in doing so, I stand with law enforcement and the hundreds of constituents here in the 65th District who urged me to vote against this bill. Their concerns weren’t allowed to be heard during this bill’s debate, and as signed today, those concerns still loom large.

“With growing fear for public safety and questions on implementation of the bill, I urged the Governor to veto this measure last month. While that isn’t our reality today, the same sentiment still rings true; ensuring greater public safety in Illinois will remain an essential responsibility for lawmakers to continue to work on, but this time in a collaborative manner. When doing so, we must include all Illinoisans in the legislative process.”

Rep. McLaughlin Responds to Governor Signing HB 3653

BARRINGTON HILLS… In response to Governor Pritzker signing House Bill 3653 into law today, State Representative Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills) said, “Today, the Governor supported a bill voted on in the dead of night with no support from any law enforcement group, republican legislator, or any public input.

After serving eight years as Village President and the head of the village police department, I have had an inside look at what law enforcement officers go through on a daily basis to perform their difficult jobs effectively, and House Bill 3653 does not increase public safety whatsoever.

Illinois has high requirements for training and certification of our officers. This legislation is pure politics over public safety, and the Governor should not have signed such sweeping legislation without working with the groups that will have to implement the expensive regulations.

There will be negative outcomes from this bill, and I hope those legislators who constructed and passed these sweeping changes in a marathon overnight session will hold themselves accountable.”

Statement from Rep. Weber on HB3653

SPRINGFIELD – State Representative Tom Weber (R-Lake Villa) issued the following statement in response to the signing of House Bill 3653:
“I’m disappointed that the Governor chose to sign this bill as is and not step up to lead and guide a rejuvenated conversation on this important issue. We can and absolutely should work to reform the state’s policing and criminal justice system, but this was absolutely not the way to do it. Vital stakeholders and the public were not given the time nor the consideration of their input. Again, I don’t oppose reform, I oppose this specific legislation and the process that produced it. As a result, Illinois residents are less safe today- meaning we as a government have failed in our most important task.”