Glowiak Hilton champions organized retail crime deterrence measure

SPRINGFIELD – To support retailers, update prosecuting resources and promote statewide economic growth, the Illinois Senate adopted a measure led by State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) to curb organized retail crime and hold ringleaders accountable.

“Organized retail crimes across the state have disturbed residents, wreaked havoc on businesses and stunted growth within local economies,” Glowiak Hilton said. “By advancing the Organized Retail Crime Act, Illinois has an opportunity to enact one of the most comprehensive crime-curbing efforts in the nation.”

In partnership with the Illinois Retail Merchants Association and the office of the attorney general, Glowiak Hilton’s initiative defines organized retail crime as a criminal charge and gives prosecutors additional resources to charge crime ringleaders. Specifically, the measure codifies ORC as the theft of retail merchandise with the intent to sell.

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Ghost guns to be put to rest by Senator Collins

SPRINGFIELD –Illinois Senate Democrats will outline a plan to crack down on the growing threat of unserialized firearms with legislation banning the production and distribution of “ghost guns”–a measure filed by State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago).

“My commitment to banning ghost guns and reducing violence in our state has not been, nor will it be, hindered by any obstacle, legislative or otherwise,” Collins said. “So long as we allow fatal gun violence to run rampant in our communities, we leaders do a disservice to the people we represent, and it is my goal to assure the state is tackling these issues at their source.”

With the alarming rise of gun violence in a number of Illinois communities, the existence of untraceable firearms has become a pressing public safety concern. Ghost guns are firearms that lack serial identification, and they are growing in popularity because of their ease of accessibility. Not only can they be ordered online, but they can also be purchased absent a background check or a FOID card, which is required to carry either a firearm or ammunition in Illinois.

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Problem-solving courts updated thanks to measure by Connor and LaPointe

SPRINGFIELD – Thanks to State Senator John Connor (D-Lockport) and State Representative Lindsey LaPointe (D-Chicago), the framework for veterans and service members’ court, drug court, and mental health court will be updated and improved for the first time in years.

“It is vital that the problem-solving courts are made uniform and updated to follow best practices so that individuals have the best chance for success. Courts like drug court, which is very difficult to get into and even harder to finish successfully, try to break the cycle of untreated problems that can often lead to ever increasing installments in jail or prison,” said Connor. “Until we address the root cause in that cycle, it will always continue.”

Senate Bill 2565 addresses the drug court, mental health court, and the veterans and service members court by making the programs more uniform and encourages them to follow evidence-based data to ensure the best chances for breaking cycles.

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Bennett measure to help police protect Illinois communities passes Senate

SPRINGFIELD – State Senate Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) passed a measure through the Illinois Senate that addresses the reality of Illinois’ rollout of officer-worn body cameras.

“Protecting our communities is one of my top priorities,” Bennett said. “By clarifying language regarding body cameras and video storage, we can help law enforcement best do their job while also keeping those they protect and serve safe.”

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