Gov. J.B. Pritzker indicators 4 legal justice payments into legislation at Northwestern Pritzker Faculty of Legislation in Chicago in July 2021. | Supplied Photograph
Lawmakers are returning to Springfield this coming week and adjustments are anticipated to be made to the controversial SAFE-T Act, which amongst different measures, abolishes money bail in Illinois.
The Security, Accountability, Equity, and Fairness Right this moment, or SAFE-T Act, was handed by the Basic Meeting in 2021.
The legal justice bundle has been criticized by each side of the aisle, together with dozens of state’s attorneys round Illinois who’ve filed a lawsuit to have the laws scrapped.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker was requested Wednesday if he expects Democratic lawmakers to alter something in regards to the SAFE-T Act.
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“I might be watching rigorously,” Pritzker stated. “I’ve made my ideas clear and we’ll see if we will get one thing performed in the course of the veto session to handle the adjustments that we should be making.”
A proponent of the laws, the Individuals’s Foyer, stated election outcomes show Illinoisans are in favor of ending money bail, essentially the most controversial provision within the legislation.
“Republicans know the details and information about pretrial incarceration are on our aspect, in order that they tried to win folks over by stoking worry and outrage,” state Rep. Anne Stava-Murray, D-Naperville, stated. “What they don’t perceive is that Trumpian techniques don’t work within the suburbs.”
Illinois will develop into the primary state within the nation to abolish money bail on January 1.
Home Minority Chief Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, a former prosecutor, stated there are different stipulations within the act that additionally ought to increase a crimson flag.
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“There’s one other provision in right here which says there’s a 90-day trial requirement for anyone who’s detained, in any other case they are going to be launched from custody and that features people who find themselves charged with maybe a detainable offense like armed theft as much as somebody who has been charged with a number of murders. It’s outrageous,” Durkin stated.
The consolidated lawsuits towards the SAFE-T Act are anticipated to be heard in Kankakee County court docket in early December.
Kendall County State’s Lawyer Eric Weis stated the case might go to the state’s highest court docket.
“If the legislation is asserted unconstitutional, then clearly there isn’t a legislation,” Weis stated. “Nevertheless, an attraction will then go on to the Illinois Supreme Court docket.
State Rep. LaShawn Ford, D-Chicago, has questioned Republicans’ skill to work with the Democrats on the measure.
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“The SAFE-T Act is an instance of the Republicans being negligent of their oath of workplace by not negotiating actually, and coming to the desk to symbolize,” Ford informed The Middle Sq..
State Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich, is asking for the removing of the act altogether and informed The Middle Sq. that Democrats gave Republicans no likelihood to barter the measure.
“In an ideal world, it’s a full repeal,” Neimerg stated. “This invoice was handed at 4 a.m. within the Senate and at 6 or 7 a.m. within the Home. There was no debate allowed on this piece of laws.”
Niemerg additionally questioned the legality of the measure.
“We’re at a specific time limit the place this can go into impact on Jan. 1, and we now have 100 out of 102 states attorneys which are extremely questioning this piece of laws,” Niemerg stated. “Moreover, there have been many questions on the constitutionality of this measure.”
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Ford stated some adjustments are coming however he didn’t present particulars.
“Now we have labored collectively to ensure we handed three trailer payments,” Ford stated. “We’re engaged on much more to ensure that we enhance the SAFE-T Act.”
The Chicago Solar-Instances reported that the invoice isn’t anticipated to be “gutted” however members of a working group of state’s attorneys, legislation enforcement, lawmakers and advocates are nonetheless negotiating language that might develop into a part of a trailer invoice.
The trailer invoice is anticipated to be launched in the course of the fall veto session which begins Tuesday.
CHICAGO (CBS) — Illinois could become the first state to fully decriminalize sex work among consenting adults.
Some state lawmakers are proposing legislation that would eliminate criminal penalties for adults involved in consensual prostitution.
In 2013, Illinois lawmakers approved legislation that reduced the crime of prostitution to a misdemeanor, but even still, sex workers and their clients are operating in the shadows.
Now some state lawmakers are looking to fully decriminalize the exchange of money for sex among consenting adults, citing safety and access to services:
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“Sex workers face an unprecdented amount of violence, because they are stuck and forced into the shadows,” said Illinois State Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago).
Advocates have been working on the proposal for years, saying it will allow safer practices of vetting clients, reporting crimes, and finding suitable locations to work.
The proposed legislation also would remove past arrest and conviction records for sex workers, and create a sex workers’ bill of rights.
“Sex workers should have the same basic protections when they engage in their work as anyone else does,” said Illinois State Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago).
While the legislation would decriminalize sex work among consenting adults, it would not remove criminal penalties for sex traffickers or abuse against sex workers.
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“It’s really just making sure that when we’re making these exchanges that we’re not so worried about the policing of our bodies, and also getting your door kicked in when you’re engaging into sex work,” said Reyna Ortiz, chair of the Sex Worker Advisory Group, a coalition of Black and Brown current and former sex workers who have spent years advocating for this legislation.
Ortiz said she spent 20 years as a sex worker, under the constant fear of arrest or violence.
“It’s been so hidden in this society. People don’t really understand that it really is an agreement. It is transactional, and it’s over with, and everybody goes on about their day. Unfortunately, where we are is under the threat of criminalization, which is really terrifying,” she said.
Prostitution is illegal in the vast majority of the U.S. It is legal in some parts of Nevada. In 2023, Maine became the first state to decriminalize the sale of sex, but not the purchase of prostitution services.
Specifics about the Illinois legislation, such as how it would be implemented and regulated are not yet clear. The timeline for a vote on the legislation is also unclear.
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Supporters plan to formally introduce the proposal in the Illinois General Assembly this week.
The Indiana Hoosiers (13-4, 4-2 Big Ten) aim to continue a seven-game home winning streak when hosting the No. 20 Illinois Fighting Illini (12-4, 4-2 Big Ten) on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 7:00 PM ET.
Illinois lost to USC 82-72 at home in its most recent game. Its top scorers were Ben Humrichous (15 PTS, 54.55 FG%, 3-8 from 3PT) and Tre White (11 PTS, 25 FG%).
In its previous game, Indiana lost on the road to Iowa 85-60, with Myles Rice (12 PTS, 5 AST, 36.36 FG%) and Oumar Ballo (10 PTS, 13 REB, 71.43 FG%) the standout performers.
Get ready for this matchup with what you need to know about Tuesday’s college hoops action.
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Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Indiana Hoosiers
NCAA Basketball Odds and Betting Lines
Spread: Illinois -3.5
Total: 157.5
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Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan returned to the witness stand Monday afternoon in his federal corruption trial.
CHICAGO – Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan returned to the witness stand Monday afternoon in his federal corruption trial.
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Jurors reported to court at 1 p.m. after a morning of legal arguments about the scope of the government’s questioning.
What We Know
Assistant U.S. Attorney questioned Madigan about hiring practices, specifically focusing on Jeffrey Rush, the son of U.S. Representative Bobby Rush.
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Prosecutors revealed that Jeffrey Rush was dismissed from his role as a supervisor at the Illinois Department of Corrections after allegations surfaced that he had a sexual relationship with an inmate.
Jurors were shown a transcript of a phone call between Madigan and his co-defendant Michael McClain.
In the call, Madigan said Congressman Bobby Rush had asked him to assist Jeffrey Rush in finding employment.
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Following the call, a résumé was sent to Madigan, and Jeffrey Rush was hired by Friends of Michael J. Madigan, a fundraising group tied to the former speaker.
Madigan’s defense attorneys argue that his actions were typical of political negotiations and do not constitute corruption. They maintain that Madigan never misused his public office for personal benefit.
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Together, McClain and Madigan are facing 23 felony counts, including racketeering and bribery.
McClain is not expected to take the stand in his own defense.
What’s Next
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Madigan’s cross-examination will continue as the trial progresses.
Prosecutors are expected to delve further into his alleged involvement in hiring and his broader use of political influence.
The Source: Information in this article was obtained through court proceedings and testimony from Mike Madigan’s trial.
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Michael MadiganNewsCrime and Public SafetyIllinoisIllinois Politics
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