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DeWitt County Law Enforcement Officials React to Recent Overhaul of Criminal Justice System

Local law enforcement officials are weighing in on the passage of a 700-plus page bill that overhauls law enforcement and the criminal justice system in Illinois.

 

The bill was introduced in the waning hours of the final day of the 101st General Assembly in Springfield and passed just a few hours later. DeWitt County Sheriff Mike Walker says the one victory for law enforcement was the preservation of qualified immunity.

 

 

On the WHOW Morning Show, Monday, Sheriff Walker and Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers believe the bill is a further example of the disconnect between the realities of law enforcement and the reactions from the media and social media.

 

 

The two veterans of law enforcement say the fact the bill was introduced hours before the legislative cycle was to end and then passed not long after that is a red flag. Additionally, Sheriff Walker says no one in law enforcement in Illinois had a seat at the table in formulating the policies in the bill.

 

 

According to Chief Lowers, the biggest loser in this bill is the victims of crimes in the community. He says it will be a regularity that a perpetrator will be back on the street before the paperwork on their crime has been filed.

 

 

The Sheriff emphasizes his office will continue to do what is within its power to help the community. While disappointed in the bill, it goes into effect in July and he says the sky is not falling. 

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