House Minority Leader Durkin speaks issues with crime victims

Posted on January 27, 2022

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD-The state – particularly its prisoner review board – needs to do better by its crime victims, according a top Illinois Republican. 

Saying this is another way that the Pritzker administration lets the bad guys win, House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) wants to beef up the law.

“The wishes of the victims and their family members will be given considerable weight,” Durkin told an online news conference, “when any type of recommendation is made in these particular cases. Right now, the law says that one party who is in favor (of release) can speak, and one party who is in opposition can speak.

“It doesn’t talk about the victims.”

Durkin says Gov. JB Pritzker’s stance on crime has not changed – even after two Democratic lawmakers were victims; State Sen. Elgie Sims (D-Chicago) of intimidation and Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood) of carjacking.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].

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