(The Center Square) – The debate around crime and punishment continues in Illinois.
Late last month, state Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, filed House Bill 4603 that would prohibit police from pulling over vehicles that speed, improperly change lanes, have excessive tint, no seatbelts and a variety of other violations. While he’s told media outlets he won’t advance the bill, Slaughter said it’s a conversation starter.
Illinois Fraternal Order of Police President Chris Southwood said the bill is a bad idea.
“With this particular bill, that wasn’t a conversation starter, that was a conversation ender,” Southwood told The Center Square. “There was nothing good in this bill for public safety. There was nothing good in this bill for law enforcement. There was just nothing in there worth talking about from a public safety standpoint.”
Southwood said he’s open to dialogue, but such legislation is not where to start.
During a Senate committee hearing this week, state Sen. Elgie Sims, D-Chicago, offered Senate Bill 2535 to create the Youth Nonviolent Crimes Resources Program with the goal of guiding youth to various services in an effort to reduce crime.