Criminal Justice

League Position

To reduce crime and violence, there should be community-supported and comprehensive investment in underserved and impoverished communities. Law enforcement agencies should work with community organizations to develop policies and strategies to promote public safety.

The League supports the expansion of prevention and treatment programs to ease the burden on the criminal justice system. It is desirable for police to use alternatives to arrest whenever possible.

In order to work toward the goal of equal treatment under the law, ongoing evidence-based training for individuals working in the criminal justice system is necessary to check biased behavior.

Policing should protect and promote the dignity of all. Building trust and nurturing legitimacy on both sides of the police/citizen divide is foundational to positive relationships between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.

News

News
League Action in Summer 2024
League Action in Summer 2024

This summer, the League spoke out on clean energy, tax filing, reproductive rights and more.

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2024 Legislative Wrap-Up
2024 Legislative Wrap-Up

The Illinois General Assembly adjourned last month, having missed an opportunity during an election year to address various reforms needed to protect the environment and government ethics. But to its credit, lawmakers passed over $1 billion in revenue increases to move the needle on creating economic opportunity for families most in need.

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Lobby Day in Springfield
Lobby Day in Springfield

League members traveled to Springfield from all across the state to talk with their legislators and advocate in support of bills that promote economic and educational equity and protection of the environment.

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League Action in March & April
League Action in March & April

Over the last few months, the League spoke out on environmental protection, mental health, gun violence prevention, and more.

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League Action in February
League Action in February

Last month, the League spoke out on environmental protection, criminal justice, and government transparency, and more.

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League Action in January
League Action in January

Last month, the League spoke out on immigration, fair housing, criminal justice, and more.

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League Action in November
League Action in November

Last month, the League spoke out on mental health, gun violence prevention, criminal justice, conservation, and more.

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Advocacy Continues After Bills Become Law
Advocacy Continues After Bills Become Law

October was a strong reminder that work of the League is never done, as we advocated for the full implementation of previously-passed laws supporting education funding and fairness in our justice system.

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League Action in October
League Action in October

Last month, the League spoke out on education funding, reproductive rights, criminal justice, and more.

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League Action in September
League Action in September

Representing 3600 members across the state, the League teams up with other organizations so that all of our voices are amplified. Here’s what we signed onto last month.

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Elimination of cash bail effective September 18
Elimination of cash bail effective September 18

Pre-trial detention in Illinois will now be based on community safety, not on the financial fitness of a defendant. 

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Why the League supports abolishing cash bail
Why the League supports abolishing cash bail

Effective September 18, 2023, Illinois will be the first state to fully abolish cash bail. Learn more about LWV of Illinois’ rationale for supporting this measure.

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Time to celebrate! League-supported bills become law
Time to celebrate! League-supported bills become law

Thank you to everyone who called their legislators and the governor and spoke up on behalf of these bills, which have now been signed into law.

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Success! League-supported legislation passes
Success! League-supported legislation passes

Thanks in part to the advocacy of League members, important legislation supported by LWVIL was passed by both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly this term.

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Lobby Day: Your voice, your issues, your schedule
Lobby Day: Your voice, your issues, your schedule

Join the LWV of Illinois online on Monday, April 24 to lobby for issues you believe in. Whether you have five minutes or two hours, you can take part!

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Listen to experts
Listen to experts

Issues Briefing is our annual look at current issues through an Illinois lens. Recordings from the February 2023 event are now available.

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Illinois General Assembly is in session
Illinois General Assembly is in session

The 103rd Illinois General Assembly’s first session is underway and thousands of bills have been put forth in both the House and Senate. Make sure your legislators know what you want!

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Illinois Cash Bail to Continue—Legal Challenges to the PFA
Illinois Cash Bail to Continue—Legal Challenges to the PFA

Despite the governor signing the Pretrial Fairness Act into law, the end of Illinois cash bail system did not go into effect on January 1, 2023 as planned. The constitutionality of the PFA was challenged by state’s attorney’s in 65 of Illinois’ 102 counties.

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New on Chicago ballots: Police District Councils
New on Chicago ballots: Police District Councils

While many eyes are on the crowded, 11-person race for Chicago mayor, Chicago communities are also paying attention to elections for the newly-established Police District Councils in each of the city's 22 police districts.

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Veto Session activity carries Illinois into 2023
Veto Session activity carries Illinois into 2023

The LWV of Illinois advocated for the passage of two bills in particular during Veto Session this fall—both passed!

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Speak Up! Legislation to Support
Speak Up! Legislation to Support

Support legislation that the Illinois General Assembly (ILGA) is likely to take up during either the Veto or Lame Duck sessions—before newly elected legislators take office in January.

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Pretrial Fairness Act Briefing
Pretrial Fairness Act Briefing

Get the facts, combat misinformation! Learn about what implementation of the Pretrial Fairness Act means for Illinois.

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Issues Briefing Resources Available
Issues Briefing Resources Available

Issues Briefing session recordings and materials are now available.

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Action Alert: Voting in Prison
Action Alert: Voting in Prison

Ask your state representative to cosponsor and vote YES in support of SB828, which permits all qualified Illinois residents to vote—even if they are incarcerated

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Issue Specialist

Laura Davis
issues@lwvil.org

Coalition Partners

Court Transparency Coalition

Criminal Justice Advocates

Illinois Coalition to End Permanent Punishments

Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice

Juvenile Justice Advocates

Guest UserHuman Needs