North Cook News

Violence is a statewide concern, according to House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Burr Ridge).

The former Assistant Illinois Attorney General and Assistant Cook County State's Attorney declared his support for reform that he said is significant. He spoke his concern during a virtual House GOP conference held through Facebook live, calling for action on heightened violence.

“I support reform, if it makes sense my record speaks of that,” he said. “But the only comments missing from (reform advocates') remarks is the plague of gun violence that has tormented neighborhoods — North, South, East, and West, and has destroyed innocent lives in Illinois – particularly young Illinoisans – at a staggering pace … For the past few years all we’ve heard from Democrats is the need for criminal justice reform but let me tell you right now that the changes that have been made specifically what was passed back in January will not work.”

Durkin referred to a July 15 news conference held by the governor and some legislators, holding the event for the signing of a package of bills reforming the Illinois justice system.

“Gov. Pritzker, State’s Attorney Fox, and Chief Judge Evans, violent crime in Chicago is no longer a local problem,” he said. “It is a state of Illinois problem. When you demoralize the men and women who wear the badge, it sends a message that makes it to the streets and it is reflected in the surge of violence in the staggering number of criminal acts that we see day in, day out. It's important for everyone when they hear the following numbers to look one step further and remember that each number represents a real person — an Illinois citizen.”

Durkin also addressed Illinoisans and those who have been "a victim of a violent crime or shooting, only to see the offender, days after, back on the street, I'm sorry. I apologize to you. I apologize on behalf of the state of Illinois. The State of Illinois has failed you.” He said that the governor and its caucus’ approach to criminal justice is "coming up short and all of us are suffering.”

“We need to get to work and fix the many wrongs that general assembly and the governor have done to victims of crime across our state,” he said. “So far in Chicago in 2021, 750 real people, Illinoisans have had a gun pulled on them or a car stolen... So far in Chicago 2021 approximately 400 Illinois citizens have lost their lives and countless people lost someone they cared about — that is called first-degree murder. So far in Chicago in 2021 over a thousand people have suffered through the horrendous crime of sexual assault, it's called rape.”

Police groups and community activists have said a focus to stopping crime needs to be on mental health and community programs.

They also urged that communities should recognize the fact that police are necessary for public safety.