| Legislation changing “offender” to “justice-impacted individual” in some state statutes and providing free state IDs to individuals being released from Illinois jails became law during the week. In recent years, crime has surged as Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and his allies in the legislature have pushed dangerous “catch and release” policies. As of July 2024, Major crimes in Chicago have increased by nearly 60% compared to 2019 and 18% since 2022. During the 4th of July Weekend alone, more than 100 people – the equivalent of two CTA busses – were shot in Chicago. Senator Fowler said the legislation signed this week will do nothing to reduce crime in Illinois and prioritize the rights of criminals over everyday citizens. Senate Bill 2803 expands an existing pilot program across Illinois, which offers free state IDs to individuals being released from state prisons, to also include individuals being released from federal prisons and county jails. Also recently signed into law was House Bill 4409, a controversial proposal that generated negative headlines and significant public pushback because it changes references to certain “offenders” in state statutes by requiring them to be called “justice-impacted individuals.” House Bill 4409 was signed into law on August 2, while Senate Bill 2803 received the Governor’s stamp of approval on August 6. |