Government

Chicago, IL – Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. was arrested along with 30 others Monday, July 26th, outside of the office of Senator Krysten Sinema, a Democrat, who opposes the abolition of the filibuster, and charged with third degree misdemeanor and trespassing on private property.

Arrested along with Rev. Jackson were:  Rev. Dr. William Barber, who heads the Repairers of the Breach and co-chairs the Poor Peoples Campaign, Attorney Barbara Arnwine, president/founder of the Transformative Justice Coalition, her chairman, attorney Daryl Jones,

and 26 others.

“Rev. Jackson and those arrested were engaging in demonstrations which may result in civil disobedience outside of the office of Sen. Sinema and other senators later this week in Texas,” said Rev. Janette Wilson, senior adviser to Rev. Jackson. “He was charged with third degree misdemeanor and trespassing on private property.”

"The purpose of these demonstrations is to highlight the need for the Senate to join the House in passing H.R. 1/S.1, the "For the People Act," a comprehensive voting rights bill, even if it requires getting rid of the Senate filibuster, and to encourage the House to finish writing and vote on H.R. 4, the "John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act," that will establish new national Section 4 criteria for triggering Section 5 or the preclearance provision of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. This would correct the damage done by the Supreme Court's decision in Shelby," Rev. Wilson said.

Rev. Jackson is pushing for passage of the “For the People Act” that expands, not restricts voting rights. However, Republicans blocked the bill with a filibuster on June 22, 2021. It failed to secure the 60 votes needed to invoke cloture after a party-line vote of 50-50. Rev. Jackson is vowing to carry his fight for the passage of the civil rights bills to Texas later this week. File Photo by John L. Alexander

SPRINGFIELD, IL - House Bill 3653, introduced by Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D) Illinois 17th District, outlines provisions aimed at better police training and accountability. Among those provisions are a ban on the use of chokeholds, increased training in crisis intervention, more mental health screening for officers, and requirements that officers submit data to an FBI database on the use of force. Whistleblower protections are increased and the right to make phone calls and access their personal contacts before police questioning is codified. 

Detainees, prisoners and all those who interact with police officers will have the expectation of prompt medical care while in custody, with special accommodations made for pregnant women. 

Charges of resisting arrest must cite a justification for the origin of arrest that was allegedly resisted against under the measure as well. The purchase of military equipment like .50 caliber rifles and tanks by police departments would also be banned. 

Courts will also see changes under the legislation including an end to the practice of cash bail as well as an end to revoking drivers licenses for nonpayment of fines.

The changes are a question of accountability, transparency and humanity, said John Rakowski of the Illinois State Bar Association in his testimony in favor of the legislation. He stead that the structural problems in the criminal justice system require a bold response.

“This Bill is.a bold response,” Rakowski said. “Now is not a time for incrementalism.”

The wide-ranging legislation came about in the months following the tragic death of George Floyd and increased calls among citizens and activists for a comprehensive approach to reforming the criminal justice system.

Sims and other members of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus lead the effort in the Illinois General Assembly by convening nine public hearings in the months following the demonstrations of the summer of 2020. In all, Sims lead more than 30 hours of committee hearings soliciting input from law enforcement professionals, trial lawyers, prosecutors, community members and many other groups. 

“A measure this transformative would not be possible without the heightened interest and vocal support of Illinoisans whose consciences have been shaken by years of misconduct without meaningful consequences,” Sims said. “Change, when it comes, always seems as if it has come too late but I know that our successes here today are not an end, but a beginning to uplifting our communities and better supporting law-enforcement in ways that improve our criminal justice system.”

House bill 3653 passed the Illinois House and awaits the governor’s signature to become law.  Once signed, it will be effective immediately.

"It is a tragic day in the United States of America when our Democracy is being undermined by a President who just doesn't know when it's time to go," stated Republican Washington Congressional Candidate Marilyn Strickland in an interview with ABC News January 6, 2021, as angry protestors armed with flags, signs and possible weapons, stormed the Capitol Building in Washington DC. The protests disrupted the Senate's Electoral Vote count in the Presidential Election in which Joe Biden was to be confirmed as President and Kamala Harris as Vice President.  The victory of Democrats in the Georgia runoff elections held Tuesday seemed to be the catalyst for the violent protest, openly encouraged by President Trump's tweeted messages. Photo Courtesy of ABC News.