HB 5524 will reduce victimization from criminals attempting to traffic illegal guns

Spring 2008 - Representative Dennis Reboletti, a former prosecutor and consistent friend on victim issues, has filed a bill that would make prison sentences mandatory for those trying to illegally obtain firearms.

We think this one is a no-brainer!

Anyone who is trying to obtain firearms knowingly illegally is certain to be planning to use them for no good purpose. Prevention is always better than trying to clean up the mess after people are already dead or maimed! This bill will allow law enforcement and prosecutors to remove those criminals before the harm is hopefully done. And from what we hear, will quickly get the word out in the street that now you won't just get a lecture, hand slap and then release - if you try to get a gun illegally, you are going to prison.

Those who work with gangs tell us that the deterrence value of a bill like this is enormous.

Send Representative Reboletti your support.

And call your House Representative to tell him or her to support HB 5524. Click here to look up your Representative.

SB 2254 and its companion bill HB 5908 are for VICTIMS!
 

SB 2254 and its companion bill HB 5908 are for those heaviest burdened victims families in Illinois - the family members of people killed by "C Number" or indeterminately sentenced prisoners. 

Approximately 260 prisoners sentenced indeterminately before 1978 still go through annual parole reviews - a process long since done away with for the rest of Illinois' victims. In 1978 the determinate sentencing system was put in place which calculates release strictly on the basis of the sentence, and in some crime allowing for good time early release credits that are objectively calculated by the prisoners' own behavior and not by a review board that can be biased.

This system in place for 30 years now is best for victims. Meanwhile, hundreds of victims families still have to work each year to collect petition signatures, send letters, take off work, go to hearings in Springfield and at the prisons, etc. This is an agonizing LIFE SENTENCE for them, and their children, and now even their grandchildren.

SB 2254 and HB 5908 will require that the FULL PRB will hear victims' protests if they might release an inmate. This is what should be required in any case because the PRB's enabling statutes require that victims' protests be "considered". But right now, only one of the 15 PRB members hears the victims concerns.

Thank You, Senator Haine and Rep Chapin Rose, for sponsoring this bi-partisan legislation designed to protect the voices of victims in the parole process of "C number" prisoners before the Prisoner Review Board.
 
Help Us work to pass this important reform measure by calling your state Reps and Senators
to help ensure that victims voices are heard in the parole process