Illinois’ governor signs policing bill

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Monday signed into law a sweeping overhaul of policing and criminal justice that eliminates the cash bail system, requires police agencies to equip officers with body cameras and strictly defines use-of-force rules for law enforcement.

The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, which designed the measure, hailed it as a historic response to the deaths last year of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Ky. Opponents argue that it will hamstring police and discourage talented people from joining law enforcement.

“This bill protects police officers,” countered Pritzker, after signing the legislation at Chicago State University. He added, “It also provides for funding for training for mental health services. It provides actually more for police officers and doesn’t take away from them. I am actually very confident that this is going to make policing safer, and it is going to make the public safer.”

The law has the support of several of Illinois’ top law enforcement authorities, including Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, both Democrats.

Major organizations representing police and prosecutors say they weren’t consulted on critical pieces. Among other things, they contend the use-of-force rules are too restrictive as to endanger officers; that dangerous people may be set free while awaiting trial; and that requiring body cameras for all departments by 2025 will be too costly.