Rep Anthony DeLuca Dodges Police Bill: 'Needed More Deliberation'

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL — Illinois State Representative Anthony DeLuca (D-80) is among the three representatives who did not give a "yes" or "no" vote on the now passed House Bill 3653 — A bill that would enable various police reforms throughout the state. The bill was authored by the Legislative Black Caucus, after protests against police brutality occurred in summer 2020.

If signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the house bill would make Illinois the first state in the nation to end cash bail, starting in 2023. It would also require all officers to wear body cameras by 2025, expand the process for revoking the certification of officers found to have engaged in misconduct, and enact many other measures, including creating statewide use-of-force standards and expanding required training.

The 80th District representative, represents parts of Homewood, Flossmoor, Chicago Heights, Olympia Fields, Park Forest and more. DeLuca spoke with Patch saying he has "very serious concerns on the policy proposals on the negative impacts that they could have on law enforcement," if signed by Pritzker.

"These are very substantive issues and I felt that they needed more deliberation and negotiation," DeLuca said. "Part of the reason I felt that way is because once the proposal was made public from the Black Caucus, I immediately called a meeting with my law enforcement groups. We had a couple meetings where we went through the entire document. There are areas of agreement between some of the proposals that were in the Black Caucus and law enforcement. There, are [also] police accountability areas for agreement."

DeLuca said he believes police reform is needed, and that the law enforcement groups he spoke with also agree. The representative said the bill was rushed, while in the middle of a debate on the House floor.

"I wanted to leave myself open," DeLuca said. "These issues will probably be dealt with in some way in the future. I believe it puts me in a better position to discuss these [issues] and negotiate, whether it's with law enforcement or with the proponents of it, to better deal with the issues in the future. Because I don't believe they're going away [soon]."

Around 4 a.m. Jan. 12, state Sen. Elgie Sims (D-Chicago) introduced the 764-page amendment that creates five new acts and amends more than a half-dozen more. It was approved by a 32-23 vote, with five Democratic senators voting against it and three others not voting. The bill then headed to the House for concurrence, and with about an hour remaining before the end of the term, passed by a vote of 60-50.

DeLuca believes more bills and resolutions will come from this and that he hopes some issues within the bill will be looked at deeper before taking effect.

"Police officers have one of the most difficult jobs right now. There's no doubt about it. On the same sense, I know that no one hates a bad cop more than another cop," DeLuca said. "Some of the actions that we have seen by very, very few in law enforcement ... are so raw, so unnecessary and even so disgusting that this is a very charged issue. We shouldn't rush to policy changes without at least making sure that we've looked at all the policies in a very deliberate way."

If Pritzker signs the bill, most of the law is due to take effect July 1, although several clauses do not have to be implemented until the first day of 2022, 2023, 2024 or 2025. Pritzker had indicated he will sign the bill, over the objections of law enforcement groups. Those who back the bill say it will increase police accountability and reduce inequities in the criminal law system.

Related: Sen. Patrick Joyce Dodges Police Bill: 'Legislation Was Rushed' | Homewood, IL Patch