SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A new Illinois law will require law enforcement to submit quarterly reports on the number of homicides and violent crimes in their communities.
The legislation calls on the Illinois State Police to send the number of homicides and aggravated assaults with a firearm to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. Police departments will also be required to document when the crimes occurred and the status of criminal cases.
"The purpose of this is to streamline the process to get away from the clearance rate number that we're using right now that is a bit opaque and doesn't provide true justice for people," said Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago). "The amendment also brings ICJIA and the Illinois State Police to neutrality on the bill."
Sponsors believe lawmakers, researchers, and community leaders can use this data to create strong violence prevention policies. The legislation gained unanimous support in the Illinois House and Senate this spring.
"House Bill 1710 is about building trust and equity in our public safety system," said Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago). "When communities can see how cases are handled, it creates accountability. That's how we begin to close justice gaps."
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