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A Democratic bill that would enhance penalties for anyone who allows
someone to pet their bear or monkey was recently introduced in the
Illinois House.
House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, said she has been
trying to get a bill to the floor since 2017 that would increase
penalties for those who attack caseworkers for the Department of
Children and Family Services.
“This is ridiculous. What are we doing?” McCombie said about the
Democratic bill. “Let’s have respect for the dead. Deidra Silas and
Pam Knight deserve it. Our DCFS workers deserve it. If we are going
to pass penalty enhancements, then let’s by god pass them. Let’s
pass them when they make sense.”
Last year, Silas’ murder marked the 21st time since 2017 that DCFS
caseworkers experienced threats or acts of violence during home
visits. Knight was murdered during a home visit in 2017.
Despite a so-called prohibition of that type of enhancement
legislation, McCombie noted that Democrats have passed 41 penalty
enhancement bills during the three previous General Assembly
sessions, with nearly 20 more similar bills up for adoption this
session.
The topic came up again Friday when a resolution was introduced
honoring a slain Chicago police officer. Four teenagers have been
charged with murder in the shooting death of 24-year-old Areanah
Preston, who was gunned down after her shift May 6.
State Rep. Curtis Tarver, D-Chicago, said the tragedy should lead to
discussions about penalty enhancements.
“While we don’t always want to look at penalty enhancements and
things along those lines, when you look at a situation like this,
when we’re snuffing out the absolute best and the brightest that we
have, individuals who actually want to go and do the right thing,
maybe it is time to have a conversation about some of the policies
that we pass,” Tarver said.
Kevin Bessler reports on statewide issues in Illinois
for the Center Square. He has over 30 years of experience in radio
news reporting throughout the Midwest.
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