Your Views
Crime bill addresses legitimate needs
The article in the Jan. 15 Daily Herald "'We're disheartened': Suburban chiefs disappointed by criminal justice bill," highlights one perspective on the bill. The goal of the bill is to prevent tragedies in Illinois like Kenosha and Ferguson. With a common desire for more equitable criminal justice and a peaceful community, police and courts can work together here.
The bill bans police chokeholds. Most police are not disputing this or the bill's requirement for police body cameras. They rightfully ask where the funding will come from, but since it doesn't need to be implemented until 2025, hopefully we have time to figure that out. Contrary to some rumors, there is nothing in the bill that defunds police.
A major goal of the bill is to eliminate cash bail. Many studies show that bail does not move the needle on flight risk, and eliminating it evens the playing field for people who can't afford it. Losing a job while awaiting trial can put a defendant on a downward spiral that is difficult to recover from. Also, jail for those who can't afford to post bail costs tax dollars. Under the bill, an accused can be released, monitored - including an ankle bracelet - or confined. The decision is up to the judge.
The bill also provides for citation rather than arrest for Class B and C misdemeanors (e.g. shoplifting, most traffic tickets, public intoxication, and so on) reducing the burden on taxpayers and allowing for redemption after a rather small mistake, not burdening people with arrest records that could hinder their ability to get work. There is also a thorough plan for increasing support for victims.
I for one am proud that our sometimes dysfunctional Illinois government has managed to put us at the forefront of criminal justice reform in a time when it is urgently needed.
Teresa Bondavalli
St. Charles
Forgotten seniors
Thank you for your editorial about the vaccine for seniors. My husband is 88 and I am going to be 86 in March. We live in a small condo with help from family, not in a nursing home. He has COPD and just had a Watchman inserted for his heart. I had a stroke a year ago and lost sight in one eye and only walk with a walker. But because we do not live in a nursing home we are two of 3 million trying to get the vaccine because they decided to have the age group changed from 75 and up to 65. On this iPad, the only thing I know how to do is mail. We are part of the old that are forgotten.
Bobbette Lewis
Schaumburg