In this episode we dive in the the reforms found in HB 3653 passed by the Illinois General Assembly in mid January. Specifically we focus on the front end reforms or those reforms that mostly deal with policing that are found in HB 3653.

For those unaware this nearly 800 page bill is what is considered an omnibus bill. This means it is made up of many different bills up together to passed as really as a package. Many if not most of the reforms found in bills like this have been introduced on their own or as part of smaller packages and didn't pass. These omnibus bills like HB 3653 usually pass when their is a change in public sentiment as there is an opportunity of major reforms to pass despite stiff political opposition within the legislative body and within special interests.

It is pretty clear that HB 3653 contains some major reforms to the entire criminal justice system throughout Illinois. Due to it containing a bunch of smaller bills the scope of the reforms are significant. Does this mean the there is not room for further progress, no. There is plenty of room to move the state forward in very important areas. That said there is plenty to like in HB 3653 especially regarding policing.

Today Sarah Staudt Senior Policy Analyst & Staff Attorney at the Chicago Council of Lawyers, We talk in-depth about the reforms around policing including:

it can now be a class 3 felony for officers to purposely turn off their body cameras or dash cameras if they are trying to hide misconduct

it can now be a class 3 felony to purposely write a fraudulent police report trying to cover up misconduct. It can also be a class 3 felony if you have knowledge of a fellow officer engaging in this conduct and failing to report it.

Uniform Peace Officers Disciplinary Act 0- Remove requirement to provide complainant’s name to officers - no sworn affidavit is required to file a complaint against an officer - creates anonymous complaint policy

establishes legislative intent to create a statewide use of force standards for law enforcement agencies.

We discuss all of these reforms and more in today's episode.