Wait, Winters and GOP Aim To Curb Gang Influence

Local Lawmakers Introduce Legislation as Part of an

Anti-Gang Package

House Republican lawmakers introduced legislation aimed at reducing and preventing gang related crimes throughout the State of Illinois. The measures are part of an overall package designed to curb gang activity within the state.

“Gangs are moving into communities that previously didn’t worry about crime,” said Representative Ron Wait. “They are spreading into the suburbs as well as small communities in all corners of the state. As a result, our children are no longer safe from gang recruitment, and our families are exposed to gang violence and crimes.”

Legislation, sponsored by Wait and co-sponsored by Winters, increases prison time for repeat gang-related felony offenses. Under the legislation, penalties for a gang-related felony after already being convicted of two other Class 2 felonies or greater would increase to a Class X felony punishable by 6-30 years in prison. In addition, Wait is co-sponsoring legislation which eliminates good conduct credit and good behavior for convicted gang members.

For more information on the House Republican Anti-Gang Package, click here

“We want to send the message that gang activity will not be tolerated in this state,” said Wait. “By increasing penalties for repeat gang offenders, we can deter members from continuing the same conduct in the future.”

Rep. Winters is the chief sponsor of legislation which requires all juveniles convicted of a gang crime to be placed in a gang workshop detention education program. “We must begin to look beyond simple punishment for gang misconduct to rehabilitation and preventative measures,” said Winters. “This legislation creates mandatory jail time for juvenile offenders and requires them to attend a gang workshop for rehabilitation and to receive assistance finding a better path to follow in the future.”

-more-

Other legislation co-sponsored by Wait and Winters include legislation to:

·        Increase penalties for aggravated assault when the act is committed with a firearm from a motor vehicle.

·        Toughen criminal penalties for manufacturing and selling false identifications.

Both lawmakers said the legislation is part of an anti-gang crime package intended to curtail gang violence, crime, and recruitment in Illinois communities. The package is a series of 19 bills being introduced by House Republican members in the General Assembly this spring legislative session.

“The House Republican caucus realizes that gangs are spreading across the state,” said Winters. “This is not a problem that can be easily addressed with one piece of legislation. This package of legislation is focused on tackling the growing gang problem from all angles to extinguish gang recruitment and activity and drive gangs out of our neighborhoods.”

Additional anti-gang measures include:

·        Preventing gangs from recruiting new members on or adjacent to school grounds.

·        Banning gang recruitment in public parks.  This additional safeguard was suggested by officials from the Joliet Park District.  Violators would face 4 to 15 years in prison. 

·        Allowing school districts, in coordination with local law enforcement agencies, to provide gang resistance education and training to students in grades K-12.

·        Increasing funding by $5 million for the Illinois Teen REACH program within the Department of Human Services (DHS).  Teen REACH provides supplemental funding to local organizations that operate after-school programs. 

·        Criminalizing gang recruitment over the Internet.

The lawmakers said they will continue to push for the passage of the legislation when the General Assembly reconvenes on February 6.

####