THE ILLINOIS SENATE IS ADVANCING A BILL CRACKING DOWN ON REPEAT GUN OFFENDERS.
THE MEASURE CREATES TOUGHER SENTENCING STANDARDS FOR CRIMINALS REPEATEDLY CAUGHT USING GUNS ILLEGALLY. SENATOR KWAME RAOUL OF CHICAGO SAYS THE KILLINGS HAVE TO STOP.
OPPONENTS SAY THIS WILL LEAD TO FURTHER OVERCROWDING OF STATE PRISONS, BUT RAOUL DISAGREES SINCE IT INCLUDES SOME CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMS.
THE BILL INCLUDES SOME CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMS AS WELL, DIRECTING LOW LEVEL, NON-VIOLENT OFFENDERS INTO REHABILITATION PROGRAMS INSTEAD OF JUST PRISON TIME. IT NOW MOVES TO THE HOUSE FOR A VOTE.