SPRINGFIELD (WGEM) – Sen. Darren Bailey spoke with members of the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Wednesday through the group’s statewide convention in O’Fallon, Illinois. The Republican nominee for governor says women and men who serve in legislation enforcement are heroes, however he feels Gov. JB Pritzker treats police like enemies.

Bailey has tried in charge Pritzker and Democratic leaders for rising crime because of the elimination of money bail. Nevertheless, that portion of the SAFE-T Act doesn’t take impact till January 1. The Republican stood alongside FOP leaders whereas he criticized the laws championed by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus.

The Xenia lawmaker claims the legislation makes it more durable to cost homicide accomplices and permits for nameless complaints to be filed in opposition to officers. If elected governor in November, Bailey mentioned he would again legislation enforcement by investing in recruiting and retaining officers and repealing the SAFE-T Act.

“We are going to ship an unambiguous message to criminals and wannabe lawbreakers that there’s a new sheriff on the town,” Bailey mentioned. “This sheriff won’t coddle criminals.”

Bailey additionally mentioned he won’t look the opposite means whereas kids are “gunned down whereas enjoying” in parks round their neighborhoods. But, the candidate additionally infamously mentioned individuals wanted to maneuver on and have fun the Fourth of July after seven individuals had been killed and dozens extra had been injured throughout a mass capturing in Highland Park.

The Pritzker marketing campaign says Bailey is completely satisfied to make use of cops when it’s handy, however the senator’s voting document reveals he has performed little to learn legislation enforcement.

Nonetheless, Illinois FOP President Chris Southwood mentioned his group is contemplating endorsing Bailey within the governor’s race. Southwood mentioned Bailey has performed every part he can to alleviate issues from members. He defined Bailey needs to guard police pensions and pledged to help union agreements for the FOP.

Controversial Chicago Lodge 7 President John Catanzara mentioned Bailey admitted he doesn’t know every part and wanted to be told by legislation enforcement to know what they wanted. Catanzara harassed that change must happen in Springfield and Chicago to deal with rising crime. He claimed Illinois has been a nightmare for the reason that SAFE-T Act took impact and Democrats handed the plan from a “50,000-foot overview” as a result of it was all about feelings.

“I can let you know Sen. Bailey has been extra concerned in attempting to grasp what the issues are, what must be addressed in that than each different politician that helped craft it, go it, and signal it.”

Though, legislation enforcement leaders had been included in lots of non-public discussions and public hearings in regards to the prison justice plan earlier than lawmakers voted.

The Pritzker marketing campaign notes that Bailey voted in opposition to the Fiscal Yr 2023 funds that included historic investments for police retention and the biggest class of Illinois State Police cadets.

“Till Bailey tells us whether or not he stands with the insurrectionists on the Capitol on January 6 or the cops who defended our democracy, he has no proper to say he helps legislation enforcement,” mentioned JB for Governor Press Secretary Eliza Glezer.

Bailey mentioned Pritzker shamelessly releases convicted cop killers out onto the streets via the state’s Prisoner Assessment Board.

“Once I’m governor, we are going to work to reinstate the loss of life penalty for anybody who kills a cop,” Bailey mentioned. “It doesn’t matter what neighborhood that you simply reside in or how a lot cash you make, the federal government’s most simple accountability is to maintain individuals secure.”

Former Democratic governor Pat Quinn signed a invoice into legislation in 2011 to finish the loss of life penalty in Illinois. That legislation changed capital punishment with convictions for all times with out parole. Nonetheless, former Republican governor George Ryan declared a moratorium on the loss of life penalty in Illinois. He later commuted the sentences of greater than 160 loss of life row inmates.

A number of Illinois lawmakers have filed proposals lately to reinstate the loss of life penalty for individuals accused of killing police. None of these payments gained vital help in both chamber of the Normal Meeting.

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