Dupage Policy Journal

State Sen. John Curran (R-Lemont), a former Cook County prosecutor, is raising the alarm that proposed legislation could have detrimental effects on community safety and law enforcement.

The measure, presented as criminal justice reform, includes several provisions that Curran has concerns about, a report on a Patch.com site said.

The legislation is being considered during the current lame-duck session of the Illinois Senate.

Elements of the legislation that Curran identified as concerning include prohibiting the pre-trial detention of offenders who are considered to be a danger to society, reducing the accountability for those who are considered to be accomplices to a murder, and completely does away with due process for law enforcement officers, Patch reported.

"This bill imparts that the police are the enemy of the people of this state. This is neither true, nor a philosophy that I will support," Curran said, Patch Downers Grove posted to its website.

Curran also believes measures within the proposed legislation also impede law enforcement officers from conducting investigations in a manner necessary to address criminal activity, Patch reported.

Additionally, Curran indicated that the legislation would create a situation where fewer alleged offenders who may pose a risk to witnesses and victims are detained, Patch reported.

"While we must ensure that Law Enforcement Officials are held accountable, this legislation goes well beyond reform and seeks to destroy the Law Enforcement Profession," Curran said, Patch reported. "Quite simply, this legislation, if adopted, is just as bad as 'Defunding the Police' and will make our communities less safe and make us all more vulnerable to criminal acts."

Contained in Senate Amendment No. 2, the measures that Curran has taken issue with are the subject of ongoing consideration by the Legislature, Patch.com reported. However, Curran hopes to prevent them from advancing into law.