Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) joins Republicans who object to Democratic-led criminal justice reform. | Batinick's website
Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) joins Republicans who object to Democratic-led criminal justice reform. | Batinick's website
Republican House Floor Leader Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) made it clear that he does not support the criminal justice reform bill backed by Democrats and the Black Caucus.
"I would say it's a bill that looks like it was written by criminals for criminals," Batinick told the Will County Gazette before the bill was adopted. "It will make it extremely difficult for law enforcement to do their jobs, and I'm hearing at least 20% of officers will retire right away if it becomes law."
Batinick and many Republicans don't support the criminal justice reform legislation.
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, it 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.
"I have not gotten a single email or call in support of this legislation," Batinick added. "Obviously, the Floyd incident and some other incidents of police brutality have spurred this, but I worry you can't swing the pendulum too far without there being some negative consequences."
Batinick said the timing and the approach in trying to hammer the bill through has House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) fingerprints all over it.
"It strikes me as a deal he may have made to try to get the support he needs for another term as Speaker," he said.
Democrats did not pick Madigan to continue on as House speaker. Instead, Emanuel "Chris" Welch (D-Hillside) was appointed — making him the first Black American to hold the post.
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