Capitol Briefs: Lawmakers introduce police reform measures, advocates look to end tipped wage
By ANDREW ADAMS
& ALEX ABBEDUTO
Capitol News Illinois
news@capitolnewsillinois.com
CHICAGO — Families of gun violence victims are asking the state legislature to reform how police handle unsolved murder investigations through legislation introduced this week.
House Bill 4753, sponsored by Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, would establish a procedure for families to request a review of “open unresolved murders” or cold cases.
Buckner, whose uncle died in a yet-unsolved shooting, said the bill began as a “passion project” in 2019 that has gained new momentum since several advocacy groups have begun supporting it.
“Last year, we began to talk about what it would look like to beef up the legislation and to put a full press on the legislature to get it done,” Buckner said Tuesday.
Another bill from Buckner, House Bill 4754, would require law enforcement agencies to publish monthly data on how many homicides occurred and how many homicides were “cleared” through an arrest or were otherwise closed.
“Hopefully, it allows us to create some accountability in that space so there can be some real consistency between the way law enforcement and communities deal with each other,” Buckner said.
In Chicago, police announced last month that in 2023, the department reached a 51.7 percent clearance rate, the highest since 2019. Clearance rates are an oft-maligned metric, as they reflect crimes which occurred in past years but were solved recently.
The bills, which were introduced Monday, are far from passing. They would need to go through legislative committees in the House and Senate before receiving a vote.
Gun control advocates, who have celebrated several legislative wins the past few years, are throwing their support behind these proposals.
“We won’t stop until this bill becomes law,” Valerie Burgest, a deputy state lead with Moms Demand Action and fellow with Everytown Survivor Network, said on Tuesday. “This bill has become our organization’s number one legislative priority for this legislative session.”
But some law enforcement advocates are wary of the proposals. Jim Kaitschuk, head of the Illinois Sheriff’s Association, said his organization has opposed previous versions of Buckner’s cold case bill.
“The intentions are good, but there are a lot of other cases,” Kaitschuk said Tuesday.
The bills, Kaitschuk said, would strain sometimes under-resourced law enforcement agencies because they do not provide funding to implement them. He further warned that the bills might adversely impact smaller agencies.
Traffic stops
An unrelated bill, House Bill 4603, concerning police departments drew criticism over the past week. The legislation would have barred police from making minor traffic stops. This would have barred stops for failing to display registration, improper lane usage, tinted windows, defective mirrors or failing to wear a seat belt. It would have also barred officers from pulling over someone for speeding, unless the speeding violation was a felony or misdemeanor offense.
Police groups registered swift and public opposition to the proposal. Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge President Chris Southwood called the bill “anti-police” and said that it “takes the pro-criminal cake.”
“We urge the members of the Illinois General Assembly to never let such a potential legal lunacy rear its unhinged head,” Southwood said in a Monday news release.
State Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, who introduced the bill, has since indicated it would not pass without a substantial amendment. He told the Arlington Heights Daily Herald the bill was “just a first iteration or draft” meant to start discussions.
Coalition once again pushes to eliminate state’s tipped wage
An advocacy coalition is once again pushing for legislation requiring employers to pay their tipped employees a base wage at least equal to the minimum wage.
Under current Illinois law, employers can pay their employees as low as 60 percent of the minimum wage as long as the worker’s tips make up the difference. In 2024, the statewide minimum wage is $14 per hour and the tipped minimum wage is $8.40.
In October 2023, Chicago City Council leaders passed the “One Fair Wage Ordinance” to increase tipped workers’ salaries by 8 percent each year until it reaches Chicago’s minimum wage of $15.80. One Fair Wage wants to pass similar legislation statewide.
At a news conference outside the Illinois State Capitol Tuesday, One Fair Wage leader and restaurant worker Corrine Terrell said the Chicago ordinance is helping support her family.
“Well to be honest, I think since it passed in Chicago the workers are happier. We don’t have to work as hard to make as much money,” she said. “We have more time with our families. It’s easier to save now. At first, I was only able to afford bills and food, now I can afford other things for my family.”
One Fair Wage leader Saru Jayaraman said legislative leaders could introduce the legislation by Friday.
Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of print and broadcast outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association.
Local News
Evans, Adams lead Argo past Shepard on Alumni Night
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Corrspondent Argo’s Davonte Evans and Will Adams both knew it was just a matter of time before the Argonauts would find a way to beat Shepard. That time came in the third quarter of a South Suburban Red matchup, when Argo outscored Shepard en rout to a 61-52 on Jan.…
Cruz booted from SD 229 school board in Oak Lawn
Spread the loveBy Dermot Connolly There is a vacancy on the Oak Lawn Community High School District 229 School Board, after members voted 6-1 last week to remove Robert Cruz for allegedly violating his oath of office, school board policy and state statutes. Cruz, a property developer, was elected to the District 229 board in…
Tax exemptions will be automatic, Kaegi says
Spread the loveFrom staff reports In response to the ongoing pandemic, the Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office will continue the automatic renewal of the Senior Freeze, Veterans with Disabilities and Persons with Disabilities Exemptions. The Homeowner and Senior Exemptions will continue to auto-renew every year. If a homeowner received any of these five exemptions…
Oak Lawn officials rip governor, legislators over crime
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle Two Oak Lawn officials are calling for Gov. J.B. Pritzker and local legislators to re-evaluate a police reform law that they say has resulted in a rise in crime. Trustee Alex Olejniczak (2nd) served as mayor pro-tem during the Oak Lawn Village Board meeting Tuesday night in place of Mayor Terry Vorderer,…
Troop 1441 Scout earns Eagle rank
Spread the loveFrom staff reports A journey that began years ago for Adrian Ayala recently culminated in Boy Scouting’s highest honor. Ayala, a member of Boy Scout Troop 1441 (sponsored by the St. Mary Star of the Sea Holy Name Society) was honored at an Eagle ceremony at Duggan Hall on Jan. 13. The Eagle rank…
Hog Wild to open Monday in Oak Lawn
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Dining choices will get a boost in Oak Lawn with the arrival of Hog Wild. The restaurant is scheduled to open Monday, January 17, at 4040 W. 111th St. That’s a week later than originally scheduled. “We are very fortunate here in Oak Lawn to have attracted Hog Wild,” Oak…
Home security cameras could be big help to Orland cops
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Residents of Orland Park could have a hand in solving crime in the village. The board of trustees unanimously approved to move forward with a voluntary security camera registration program at its Jan. 4 meeting. It’s expected to start on Feb. 1. This program gives citizens and businesses a chance…
Neighbors
Robbers hitting Chicago Lawn
Spread the love. From staff reports Police are warning the public about a robbery crew working the south end of Chicago Lawn. Crimes scenes include: 2500 block of West 73rd Street at 10:50 p.m. Monday, April 29. 7400 block of South Rockwell at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 7. 7100 block of South Mozart at 6…
Moving scammers out there, BBB warns
Spread the love. By Better Business Bureau staff . Moving is always a stressful project. Throw in the threat of a moving scam, and things get even worse. Before hiring a moving company, careful research is necessary to avoid falling victim to a moving scam. These scams run the gamut from missing items, massive price…
Burglars hitting local businesses
Spread the love. From staff reports Police are alerting the public to what appears to be a crew of burglars hitting businesses across the city. A CPD alert noted 10 separate crimes. Three were committed against Southwest Side businesses on Friday, May 17: 7800 block of South Western at 12:11 a.m. 3300 block of West…
Rainbow Cone adds 4 new flavors
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong Chicago’s iconic Original Rainbow Cone has been evolving over the past few years. First, it joined forces with the folks at Buono Beef and expanded its presence from its original location in Beverly to offer cones at Buono Beef locations and a few stand-alone stores as well as food trucks.…
Park Lawn opens day program in Palos Heights
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Promoting inclusion and individuality, Park Lawn provides services that promote choice and access to community living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The mission behind the organization focuses on encouraging people with disabilities to discover their passion, to take pride in their accomplishments, to live more independently and to…
EPCHS adds Emmy-winning actor Gary Sievers to Hall of Fame
Spread the loveEvergreen Park Community High School has added a name to its list of Hall of Famers. Gary Sievers, a 1968 EPCHS graduate who became well-known for his acting, public speaking, work in radio and television, community service, civic leadership and teaching, was posthumously inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame during the Honors…
Worth vehicle sticker applications ‘lost’ in the mail
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle Worth Village Clerk Bonnie Price said that even though application forms for village vehicle stickers were sent out to the post office last month residents were still waiting to receive those applications. “We have been doing this for 15 years,” Price said during the Worth Village Board meeting May 7. “This…
Hunt killer in ‘drifting’ slaying
Spread the love. Police seek witnesses, video of 59/Western . By Tim Hadac Police are appealing to the public to help find those responsible for the slaying of a 20-year-old West Englewood man during a takeover of the intersection at 59th and Western at 3:21 a.m. Sunday, May 5. The victim–identified as Guillermo “Memito” Caballero…
Mom gets 20 years in babies’ murder
Spread the love. Stuffed her newborn twin boys in an alley garbage cart . By Tim Hadac The books closed this month on a double murder that shocked and sickened many in the Garfield Ridge area more than 20 years ago. Antoinette Briley, 44, pled guilty on May 7 to murdering her twin baby boys…