Metro East Sun

Blasting some of the proposed changes in a police reform bill as “shortsighted and irresponsible,” state Sen. Jason Plummer is (R-Shelbyville) is urging residents to stand in opposition to House Bill 163.

“This proposal contains a number of changes that would jeopardize the safety of our communities,” Plummer said. “We should call this what it is, a blatant attack on the police profession and an underhanded attempt to defund our law enforcement.”

Plummer is hardly alone in sounding the alarm against the measure known as the “Criminal Justice Reform” bill, which, among other things, seeks to enact such changes as prohibiting pre-trial detention, impeding law enforcement investigations and removing all due process protections for officers.

With the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus among its chief sponsors, the bill would also outlaw cash bails and expand police reform on use of force, crisis training and prohibiting chokeholds. The proposed legislation has been in the work ever since the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police last summer.

The bill also includes mandating the use of body cameras across the state by 2025 and the use of special prosecutors in police-involved killings.

Plummer argues the measure strikes him as being all wrong for Illinois.

“Our men and women in blue are role models and it is despicable to see them treated and portrayed as the enemy,” he added. “I firmly and proudly stand with the tens-of-thousands of law enforcement professionals throughout Illinois who recognize this bill for what it is, an assault on their profession and a threat to our communities. I encourage my Democrat colleagues to immediately withdraw this offensive and dangerous piece of legislation.”