By Haley Kosik/WJEZ News
SPRINGFIELD – A package of measures to reform police work passed the Illinois House this yesterday afternoon by a vote of 102-7.
It requires more training and independent review of police-involved deaths, bans choke-holds, and establishes rules if police departments want to equip their officers with body cameras.
This makes Illinois a leader, says Sean M. Smoot, Executive Director of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, and a member of the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing.
Illinois is a leading state and will be the first state to statutorily implement several of the recommendations that are included in the president’s task force report, which was just finalized a week ago Monday, he said.
The measure was negotiated among lawmakers of both parties, police chiefs and sheriffs, police unions and the ACLU.
Also included is a provision that requires record-keeping of pedestrian stops just like traffic stops, and the establishment of a database of cops fired for bad conduct, so when they apply for work elsewhere, that department will know.
The bill now goes to the Senate.
Jays been Rockin N’ Rollin for decades, beginning as a bass player in San Francisco Bay Area rock bands. His radio career begin at a small 5000 watt AM station in Modesto California, and after four years moving around Central California he wound up pla...
