Stava-Murray, Porter discuss criminal justice reform, mandated driving tests

Criminal justice reform, assault weapons and driving tests for seniors were among the issues candidates for the Illinois House’s 81st District seat discussed during a recent Daily Herald endorsement interview.

Democratic incumbent Rep. Anne Stava-Murray and her Republican challenger, Willowbrook police officer Aaron Porter, agree that body cameras, training and other reforms mandated by sweeping criminal justice reforms passed in 2021 have been effective.

Describing herself as “fully committed to public safety reform and the cashless bail system,” Stava-Murray said “everyone, including police officers, are happy about the bodycams.”

Stava-Murray, who’s running for a fourth term, said she and her fellow legislators are looking for ways to help smaller towns pay for body camera equipment.

Porter agrees with Stava-Murray on body cameras and reforms that mean nonviolent defendants charged with minors crimes aren’t jailed simply because they cannot come up with bail money.

However, he said some parts of the SAFE-T Act have been harmful.

“Prosecutors, judges, and police were stripped of the ability to ensure the safety of local communities by mandating the release of offenders through no cash bail,” he said.

Regarding Illinois’ assault weapons ban, the state has a “gun safety storage issue,” said Porter, referring to cases where minors have been charged with committing crimes using weapons found in their homes.

“We have to put (the) onus on parents who are making these weapons available to children,” he said. “We have to enforce the red flag laws … We have to make sure domestic violence offenders don’t have access to handguns.”

Stava-Murray accused Porter of dodging questions about an assault weapons ban.

“There’s no reason for a hobbyist gun owner to have an assault weapon,” she added, noting that legislators grandfathered in owners who already possessed those weapons.

Both said they support Karina’s Bill, which requires officers to remove guns from owners facing domestic violence charges or orders of protection.

But they disagree on proposed legislation to end mandatory road tests for senior drivers. Currently, Illinois drivers ages 79 and 80 must take a road exam to renew their four-year license. The requirement is every two years for drivers ages 81 to 86 and every year for drivers 87 and older. Illinois is the only state mandating a road test for seniors.

Porter believes the requirement does not makes roads safer, saying an individual’s driving record more accurately assesses his or her skill behind the wheel.

“If we’re going to mandate seniors to do that, we need to mandate people getting three, four or five tickets in a couple year span do so as well,” he said.

Stava-Murray said some seniors acknowledge their abilities aren’t what they were and believe more frequent testing is a good idea.

“We need to ensure people of any age who are not fit to drive do not get behind the wheel,” she wrote in her candidate questionnaire.

The 81st District includes portions of Naperville, Downers Grove, Woodridge and Darien.