Rock Island Today

State Rep. Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) is calling for a unified front in the ongoing battle to curb rising crime rates across Illinois.

“I believe a lot of things have passed over the years, not just within this committee within all committees, and I believe the intent of all of us on both sides of the aisle is good,” McCombie said during a recent hearing with the House Judiciary-Criminal Committee. “How we get to the finished product and what the finished product always is isn’t always so good.”

McCombie argues Democrats and Republicans in Springfield having a meeting of the minds on the issue would be a good place to start.

“When it comes to working together and collaboration and respect, that has to come on both sides because our initiatives being brought in on the conversation is extremely important,” she added. “We put ourselves on the ballot to do that with you. So we have to be heard as well and not ignored.”

Republicans have been quick to point out the latest crime surge comes after Democrats pushed through House Bill 3653 with essentially no input from Republicans, ABC7 Chicago reported. The Illinois Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today Act, also known as the SAFE-T Act, calls for a new process for decertifying abusive officers, body cameras for all officers and a no-cash bail system for non-violent offenders.

“The best thing that could happen for Illinois is to have a little more balance," McCombie added. “Just like I don't understand Chicago, somebody might not understand Northwest Illinois, and we shouldn’t assume that.”

Democratic Rep. Justin Slaughter is the chair of the 19-member House Judiciary-Criminal Committee, which also includes seven Republicans. Rep. Dave Severin is the Republican spokesperson for the committee. 

Slaughter recently told The Week he wants the committee to find solutions that focus “on facts, research and testimony from experts in the criminal justice field.”