North Cook News

State Rep. Tom Morrison says he understands the nationwide reaction to the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers but notes the response to it has been equally distressing. 

There is a clear role for police officers, said Morrison, a Republican from Palatine who represents the 54th District in the Illinois House of Representatives.

“Peaceful protest is one thing,” he said. “Rioting, looting, assault, murder, and mayhem is terrorizing and destroying the very struggling communities that can least afford the present or after effects. Some of these areas had finally begun to recover from rioting nearly 50 years ago.

“Now events of recent weeks will set them back yet again for years at least. And since these are Illinois communities, every Illinois resident should be concerned. Disinvestment in Illinois hurts every Illinoisan.”

The idea of dismantling or defunding police departments has been raised nationally. A rally in Union Park on June 5, led to a march through the Near West Side and West Town.

Speakers called for taking the $1 billion allocated for the Chicago Police Department and using it for rent relief, mental health clinics, COVID-19 testing and providing personal protective equipment to health-care workers.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, a Democrat, said although she favors reform, she does not support defunding the department.

“Since the onset of these events, Mayor Lightfoot and Police Supt. [David] Brown have been unequivocally resolute that police misconduct of any kind will not be tolerated and those found committing wrongdoing will be held fully accountable,” the mayor's office said in a statement. “Just as the overwhelming majority of protests remained peaceful this week, the vast majority of officers followed their training and supervisor direction during these difficult times. Nonetheless, we will continue to vigorously investigate all reports of excessive force arising from this week.”

The discussion has continued in New York City, Los Angeles and Minneapolis, where nine council members vowed to defund the department and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey was booed away from a protest rally when he refused to support cutting funding for police.

Morrison said there is sane common ground available.

“Virtually everyone in America is horrified by what happened to George Floyd,” he said. “It shouldn't have happened, and those responsible have been fired as criminal proceedings are under way. But defunding or dismantling local police forces will only invite further chaos and loss of life. Policing is very difficult work, and we should be grateful for those who put their own lives and safety into some of the most dangerous situations imaginable.”

Morrison said there is a way forward, noting the public has a right to expect law enforcement officers to be held to a high standard.

There are some police reforms that I would consider,” Morrison said. “The legislature ought to take the ideas up one by one, rather than usual practice of an ‘omnibus’ kind of bill. There should be careful consideration with proper vetting of the pros and cons of specific policy changes, not rash decisions that as an unintended consequence could undermine safety even further.”