Legislator says her anti-crime measures being ignored
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[February 18, 2022]
By Kevin Bessler
(The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker
is accusing Democrats of stifling a package of anti-crime legislation
prompted by the shooting death of a Bradley police officer and the
wounding of her partner.
Kankakee County State’s Attorney Jim Rowe is seeking life sentences for
25-year-old Darius Sullivan and 26-year-old Xandria Harris, who face a
number of felony charges in December's hotel shooting that killed
Bradley Police Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic and critically wounded her
partner.
“But the more we know about this story, the worse it gets,” state Rep.
Jackie Haas, R-Kankakee, said “We have learned that the person who shot
sergeant Rittmanic and officer Bailey is a habitual offender.”
Haas said Sullivan has been charged with crimes more than 40 times in
seven years.
House Bill 4808 would create the offense of a habitual misdemeanant. If
a person has three or more pending charges for misdemeanor domestic
battery, battery, violation of an order of protection, or criminal
damage to property of a family or household member, then that defendant
may be charged as a habitual misdemeanant offender.
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![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2022/Feb/18/images/ads/current/stclara_lda_SPONSOR_090519.png) House Bill 4684 would change a
SAFE-T Act requirement that a detained person must be brought to
trial within 90 days. Passed last year, the SAFE-T Act includes
reforms aimed at improving police accountability while addressing
calls for more equity in the justice system to address mass
incarcerations. Kankakee County State’s Attorney Jim Rowe said 90
days is too soon and agrees with extending it to 120 days.
“That law is setting up the perfect storm for defendants to be
released back into the community, and is also setting up the perfect
storm potentially for people to be wrongfully convicted,” Rowe said.
He added the State Police Crime Lab often takes longer than 90 days
to process DNA evidence.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2022/Feb/18/images/ads/current/graue_sda_042021.png)
Two other measures involve penalties for domestic violence
strangulation and the taking of a police officer’s body camera to
avoid arrest.
Haas said thus far, House Democrats are holding up the measures and
she is dumbfounded as to why.
“No, I have not been given any explanation as to why these bills
have not been called,” Haas said. “It’s extremely frustrating.” |