The Criminal Justice Study

The Criminal Justice Study

Are you concerned about the incarceration rate in Illinois and the historic disparate impact of the US criminal court and prison systems on communities of color? Are you interested in learning about innovative programs and policies that reduce recidivism among juveniles and adults? Would you like scarce resources to be applied to effective ways to make our communities safe and addressing the root causes of criminal behavior? 

All update materials can be found here

https://www.lwvil.org/criminal-justice-position-update-study

When we advocate for policy changes, the basis of that advocacy are LWV positions, formed through studies and consensus of League members. The current LWVIL criminal justice position was last updated in 1995 - 25 years ago!  A lot of research in criminal justice has happened in those years and without updating our current position the LWVIL is prevented from taking action on many laws being proposed. 
 
Our local League has a short term study committee that has been reviewing the materials provided by the LWVIL study committee, plan how to best educate our local League members and our community about these issues, and manage the consensus process. The consensus decided from each local league will then be sent to LWVIL and will contribute to the updated criminal justice position.  
  
We will regularly be providing updates to the study for members to review.  There will be a consensus meeting January 13, 2021.

 

Committee Contact
Contact Name: 
Hilary Denk
Email: 
j.denk@comcast.net
League to which this content belongs: 
Downers Grove-Woodridge-Lisle

All Posts Related to this Committee

Video of Town Hall Meeting: Illinois Criminal Justice Reform Bill: Facts vs Fiction

Link to the Town Hall - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atyj-y-kiEE&feature=youtu.be

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Consensus Question #14

Consensus Questions 14a, 14 b, and 14c are the final questions in the study and relate to funding for the criminal justice system, is broken into three sections. The first two sections ask whether the final sentence of the current position should be eliminated or edited to focus on community-based solutions and to provide treatment for those who have committed a crime, rather that incarcerate them. 14(c) asks whether programs should be evaluated periodically for their effectiveness in order to continue to receive funding.

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Consensus Question #12

Consensus Question 12a through 12j is divided into ten parts, relates to the Illinois Department of Corrections. The current League of Women Voters of Illinois position is stated below, followed by the updated consensus study questions on this topic.

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Lake County LWV Criminal Justice Programs Related to Consensus Questions

Following are YouTube programs from the Lake County LWV Consensus meetings.

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Consensus Question #13

Consensus Questions 13a and 13b - Today’s question, which is divided into two parts, relates to Post Incarceration and Sentence Completion. The current League of Women Voters of Illinois position is stated below, followed by the updated consensus study questions on this topic.

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Consensus Question #11

Consensus Questions 11a through 11g relates to Sentencing Laws and Procedures. The current League of Women Voters of Illinois position is stated below, followed by the updated consensus study questions on this topic.

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Consensus Question #10

Consensus Question #10 - Courtroom Procedures and Access.

The current League of Women Votersof Illinois position is stated below, and a proposed addition to the existing position follows.

The League supports improvement in courtroom procedures that serve to minimize confusion and delay and increase fairness and efficiency. Trials should be prompt, with a limit on the time the accused can be held in jail prior to trial. Sufficient numbers of well-trained judges, assistant state’s attorneys, public defenders, and other court personnel are essential. Uniform standards should be used for appointing public defenders.

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Sarah Staudt Presentation on Consensus Questions for the Criminal Justice Study

Watch this informative program on YouTube at this link:  https://youtu.be/CUcvyhIibaE

Sarah Staudt, Attorney, discussed consensus questions for the Criminal Justice Study.  She concentrated on the following topics in her presentation:  Investing in Communities, Bias Recognition, Gender Responsive Approach, Restorative Justice, Emerging Adults. 

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Consensus Question #9

Consensus Question #9 is related to emerging adults. The current League of Women Voters of Illinois position is stated below, followed by the updated consensus study question on this topic.

Consensus Question 9. Emerging Adults

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Consensus Question #8

Consensus Question #8 is divided into three parts related to Restorative Justice. The current League of Women Voters of Illinois position is stated below, followed by the updated consensus study questions on this topic.

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