By GREG BISHOP
Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (IRN) – Changes to the Illinois Prisoner Review Board can soon be sent to the governor’s desk after a measure cleared the final hurdle Tuesday.
Controversy surrounded the PRB last year when there were vacancies for the board that is comprised of gubernatorial appointments. Tensions around the PRB escalated after the death of a child trying to protect their mother from an attacker who was released by the board.
Tuesday, state Rep. Will Guzzardi, D-Chicago, said Senate Bill 19 would do a host of things, including expanding the rights of victims, improving the process for petitioners to the board, and increasing professionalism for board members.
House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, asked how the measure would prevent what recently happened in her district.
“Two decades ago, a young girl was murdered by her boyfriend and he has recently been released,” McCombie said on the House floor. “There was a lot of confusion, some missing details of his release.”
Guzzardi said the bill would ensure victims are property notified.
“The bill is laser focused on the question of making sure that all parties engaged in these cases are heard from and brought into,” he said.
Before passing the Senate last month, Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, said SB 19 is similar to what was approved unanimously by the Senate last year, but never cleared the House. Part of the changes includes extending terms for PRB members.
“I think with an eight year term, members will be less concerned about being reappointed and will serve their term, and do the best work that they can do,” Harmon said.
State Sen. Steve McClure, R-Springfield, said the proposal last year was stronger but was stifled by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
“He chimes in on a bill to water down what was a great bill and now make it to where it’s going to be very hard to keep people in that are dangerous,” McClure said.
The measure can now be sent to Pritzker for his signature.
