Rauner Could Act on Criminal Justice Reform

Greg Bishop -- Illinois Radio Network

Citizens will be safer and taxpayers will save money if the state implements recommendations from a commission on criminal justice and sentencing reform.

Governor Bruce Rauner visited the Commission on Criminal Justice and Sentencing Reform Thursday to thank the members for their 46 page report published at the end of the year.

Rauner says there are questions about some of the recommendations but he hopes to spur on those conversations and get some action on the various proposals.

Some of the recommendations include giving judges discretion to sentence probation for residential burglary, class 2 felonies and drug law violations, removing barriers keeping those convicted of crimes from obtaining professional licenses, and prevent the use of prison for felons with short lengths of stay, among other suggestions.

“I guarantee you,” Rauner said, “I will work tirelessly to make sure that this isn't something that just gathers dust.”

Not all of the proposals requires legislative action. The governor says his administration can implement some of the recommendations through the Department of Corrections.

Meanwhile the governor says everybody makes mistakes and everyone deserves a second chance.

The governor also says he won’t let the report with 14 recommendations collect dust. He says the recommendations will make the public more safe and save taxpayers money.