East Central Reporter

Illinois state Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) worries about what could come of Illinois if lawmakers in Springfield get their way. 

“If this bill becomes law, our communities will become much more dangerous,” Halbrook told the Macon Times of the Criminal Justice Reform bill. “I stand with my local law enforcement officers who risk their lives to keep our communities safe. I will not be voting for this radical legislation.”

Halbrook joined a growing number of Republican lawmakers objecting to the legislation, which among other aspects, seeks to enact changes that include outlawing cash bails and chokeholds as well as prohibiting pre-trial detention.

With the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus as one of its strongest supporters, the bill would also expand police reform on the use of force and crisis training.

The proposed reforms have been a work in progress since the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer last summer. Finally, it also includes mandating the use of body cameras across the state by 2025 and the use of special prosecutors in police-involved killings.

Halbrook fumes talk of such legislation couldn’t come at a worse time with the already emotionally-charged subject of police reform.

“House Bill 163 would create unfunded mandates on police departments, which is a backdoor way of defunding the police by making requirements that many police departments cannot afford to without a reduction in staff,” he said.

 Halbrook’s assessment is in lockstep with a coalition of the state’s top law enforcement officials, who recently released a statement asserting “so-called reforms” in the bill would destroy law enforcement’s ability to keep communities safe.”

Instead, the group is urging lawmakers to “avoid making a sudden, rash decision and instead work carefully with all stakeholders to truly examine what needs to be done regarding law enforcement in Illinois.”