Violent crime reporting proposal arrives on Pritzker's desk, awaits signature

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A bill on Gov. JB Pritzker's desk could require law enforcement to submit quarterly reports on the number of homicides and violent crimes in their communities.

This plan calls on the Illinois State Police to send the number of homicides and aggravated assault with a firearm to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.

Police departments would also be required to document when each crime 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.

"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."

The legislation gained unanimous support in both chambers.