Title
RESOLUTION URGING THE ILLINOIS STATE LEGISLATURE TO PASS HOUSE BILL 4176 TO PROVIDE COOK COUNTY POLICE CHIEFS LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OVERRIDE OF A FELONY REJECTION OR A DESIGNATION OF A FELONY AS A CONTINUING INVESTIGATION BY THE COOK COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY
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WHEREAS, protecting public safety in the Village of Orland Park is the Village’s highest responsibility; and
WHEREAS, Cook County is experiencing life-changing and life-threatening crime with unprecedented homicidal activities putting the general public at risk of hurt, harm and danger. The escalating crime wave includes, unsolved murders, shootings, killings of children and youth, and criminal activities which are of such a nature that an extreme response of extra help and support is necessary; and
WHEREAS, the vitality of our community depends on how safe we keep our homes, neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces because crime and fear of crime diminish the quality of life for all; and
WHEREAS, crime and fear of crime destroy our trust in others and in institutions, threatening the community’s health and prosperity; and
WHEREAS, violent crime is occurring at a record pace this year in suburban Cook County communities; and
WHEREAS, criminals should be held accountable for their actions; and
WHEREAS, police chiefs throughout Cook County have provided a consistent theme of profound disagreement with many charging decisions or the pushing of a case into a continuing investigation; and
WHEREAS, House Bill 4176 will provide to Cook County’s suburban police departments the ability for a law enforcement override of a felony rejection or a designation of a felony as a continuing investigation by the Cook County State’s Attorney; and
WHEREAS, House Bill 4176 amends the Counties Code and provides that in a criminal investigation in counties in excess of 3,000,000 involving a forcible felony where the State’s Attorney or Assistant State’s Attorney rejects the filing of a felony charge or charges...
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