IN ORDER TO CREATE SAFER COMMUNITIES, WE MUST…

…CONSOLIDATE THE FOREST PRESERVE POLICE WITH THE COUNTY SHERIFF: Our sheriff’s department has the strength in personnel and resources to be able to effectively fight crime in all areas of our communities, and paying for two police forces is not working to prevent crime in our forest preserves.  By merging the two agencies, we will be able to eliminate many of the Forest Preserve Police upper management positions that are unnecessary, and we will also be able to cross-train our Sheriff’s police to be able to deal with issues specific to our Forest Preserves.

…ALLOW CONCEALED CARRY FOR TRAINED, RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERS: I’ve seen first hand that criminals do not follow gun laws.  Restrictions on law-abiding citizens only fuel the opportunities for crime and violence in our communities.  Responsible gun ownership, with vigilant enforcement and effective training, is necessary for our citizens to protect themselves.  I will push for a concealed carry ordinance with restrictions such as a mandatory 40 hour training course, mandatory yearly qualifications, and a two year revocation of the privilege with a misdemeanor conviction.

…IMPLEMENT INTENSIVE REHABILITATION FOR NON-VIOLENT OFFENDERS: Our jail is overcrowded, and there is no reason to house non-violent offenders that can be rehabilitated.  I will expand the use of Cook County’s boot camp program, eletronic monitoring, and develop public-private partnerships to transition offenders into productive community membership.

IN ORDER TO BUILD A MORE HUMANE CORRECTIONS SYSTEM, WE MUST…

…CREATE A PERMANENT COOK COUNTY CORRECTIONS BOARD: The health system has received a much needed reform with the permanent board overseeing its operations.  The necessary procedural, political, and cultural reforms needed for our corrections system can only take place with a permanent, independent corrections board.  We need to take the politics out of our Health Care and Public Safety.

…INTEGRATE CERMAK WITH COUNTY CORRECTIONS: The administrative separation between inmate corrections and health services creates bureaucratic problems that decrease the quality of the corrections system and increase taxpayer costs.  Integrating the two aspects of corrections administrations will improve quality and decrease costs.

… TAKE A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY TO ABUSE AND VIOLENCE: Expanded powers to separate and detain violent offenders will be granted.  Also, zero tolerance will be given to guards who have abused inmates in any fashion.