Kane County Reporter

Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain is optimistic the Illinois Legislature will find a middle way in its efforts to reform law enforcement in the state.

Many law enforcement officers have been alarmed as House Bill 163 has moved through the short special session. The bill “radically changes law enforcement, victim services, criminal proceedings and the protections of every law enforcement officer in the state, regardless of employment as a peace officer, deputy, trooper, university police officer, corrections officer, court security officer or other law enforcement,” according to Jim Kaitschuk, the executive director of the Illinois Sheriffs Association.

The Legislative Black Caucus has endorsed the bill as part of a campaign to end what it terms “systemic racism in Illinois.”

Hain, who has 22 years' experience in law enforcement, said he is seeing real discussion on the bill and expects a package to emerge that includes the viewpoint of law enforcement professionals.

“My initial push was to encourage dialogue with law enforcement leadership by the bill presenters, which had yet to be done,” he told Kane County Reporter. “As we watch negotiations in Springfield, it appears that positive conversation is occurring and there will not be a quick vote.”

Hain said a part of the package to end most charges of felony murder is not realistic.

“That is not even a tangible idea,” he said. “I’ve been mostly abstaining from detailed comment until after this week’s negotiations.”

Several proposed reforms to Illinois laws and law enforcement were announced on Oct. 8.

They include ending the cash bail system and greatly reducing the number of people held in custody, keeping only those seen as legitimate public safety threats behind bars.

Instead, a risk-assessment system would be put into effect. The goal is to bring an end to a process that “disproportionately forces low-income families and people of color into a disruptive cycle of unearned detention and instability,” according to a news release from the governor's office.

Sentencing for drug crimes and theft would be altered to match what other states are doing, with efforts to address issues linked to addiction and mental health problems plaguing nonviolent offenders.

The state would focus on rehabilitation rather than incarceration in an effort to reduce recidivism, with more services made available to people when they are released from prison.

More nonviolent offenses would be decriminalized and discretionary parole for young people would be increased, and police officers would be required to meet statewide standards.

“We will advocate for licensing of police officers, strengthen the role of the State Police Merit Board, work alongside police departments to ensure compliance and proper use of body-worn cameras, create a state-level avenue to investigate systemic police misconduct, and remove barriers for civilians to report officer misconduct, like the signed affidavit requirement,” a news release from Gov. J.B. Pritzker's office states.

Officers would be trained to reduce the use of force, and required to lend assistance and first aid when it is deployed. The use of no-knock warrants would be greatly reduced.

Officers would be trained to work with people in alternative manners and required to prevent and report the use of excessive force by other officers.

Hain said the Legislature could learn from local governments. They are working through difficult issues and making real progress, the sheriff said.

On June 9, he announced a renewed effort to examine the use of force by deputies and efforts to reduce jail populations. Deputies also would be required to wear body cameras.

“We do all this work to gain respect and trust and truly protect and serve,” the sheriff said. "We do all of this work, so that these fine officers and deputies will never have to stand on a skirmish line in their own community again because the public would know we are worlds apart from Officer (Derek) Chauvin in Minneapolis.

“We have heard the voices of the outraged, and they have my commitment that I will not stop in my mission to bring true reform.

“Our wonderful community should know that these fine officers will never yield in standing that line and protecting our people and property, as well, for laws are the fabric of a civilized nation and law enforcement is that thin blue thread that holds that fabric together.”

Hain said progress can be made. He has seen it happen.

“In Kane County, we have moved mountains in the last two years to push for equality in criminal justice and create a new platform that prioritizes a balance between public safety and true correctional reform,” he told Kane County Reporter. “I encourage lawmakers to engage with a local example in action like us to help find the change they are seeking.”