Prisoner Review Board Decision Leads to Tragedy
Two members of Governor JB Pritzker’s Prisoner Review Board (PRB) have resigned after a man released by the board killed an 11-year-old boy and critically wounded the boy’s pregnant mother.
Crosetti Brand is accused of stabbing a former girlfriend and killing her son as the boy attempted to defend his mother from a brutal attack just a day after being released by Pritzker’s PRB. In February, while on parole, Brand sent the woman messages threatening to kill her and went to her home. This violation of his parole landed him back in the state’s custody while the PRB could consider whether he should remain in prison.
Despite the threats, the boy’s mother seeking an order of protection, and Brand’s history of domestic abuse, the board voted to release him. On March 25th, Governor Pritzker announced that two of the members of the scandal-plagued board were resigning. State Senator Terri Bryant says that this case is just the latest in a string of controversial decisions made by the PRB, which has released numerous convicted murderers and violent offenders on the Governor’s watch.
Pritzker has made a number of high-profile, controversial appointments to the PRB, including a convicted double murderer. While the Illinois Senate must confirm appointments to the board, the Governor had repeatedly circumvented the process by making controversial appointments and then rescinding the nominations just before the time they can serve unconfirmed expires, only to immediately reappoint them. In doing so, his nominees avoid public scrutiny and collect a paycheck serving on the board despite not being confirmed.
Senate Republicans have repeatedly exposed the PRB’s issues, eventually creating enough public pressure for the Governor to change course and seek Senate confirmation of his appointees. Despite that progress, serious issues remain, and Senator Bryant said the continued need for reform is clear.
Illinois Supreme Court Asked to Review Law Limiting Courts Where Challenges to State Law Can be Heard
A controversial new state law requiring that challenges to state laws and actions can only be filed in Cook or Sangamon counties has come under new scrutiny. Now, the Illinois Supreme Court is being asked to consider whether it is constitutional.
House Bill 3062, passed last June, states that Cook and Sangamon counties are the only places in the state where challenges to a state law’s constitutionality can be submitted.
Recently, Piasa Armory LLC, a gun store in Madison County, challenged the constitutionality of the Firearm Industry Responsibility Act. In March, the state sought to transfer the case to Sangamon or Cook County. However, a Madison County Circuit Court Judge ruled HB 3062 unconstitutional due to severe inconvenience to the plaintiff.
The Attorney General’s office filed an appeal to this ruling directly to the state Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has not yet issued a schedule for hearing the case.
Senator Bryant voted against HB3062 in the Senate, noting that it creates an unnecessary burden on people seeking help through the courts and because the concept is likely unconstitutional.
Legislation Proposed to Keep At-Risk Veteran Homes Affordable
Senate Republicans recently introduced legislation to put an end to expensive charging station mandates that have made it significantly more expensive to provide housing options for homeless veterans.
The 2023 Electric Vehicle Charging Act requires all new affordable housing developments to include EV-capable parking spaces. Organizations working to build affordable housing units for homeless veterans have said that this requirement will make their efforts drastically more expensive.
Senate Bill 2597, co-sponsored by Senator Bryant, removes this costly burden and stipulates that the provision under the Act would not apply to tiny homes designated for veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, provided these homes were funded and constructed by qualified non-profit organizations.
Senate Bill 2597 unanimously passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and now awaits a vote in the full Senate.
Get Out for National Walking Day
Each year, the first Wednesday in April is designated National Walking Day to encourage the public to get out and get their hearts pumping.
This long-standing health initiative from the American Heart Association (AHA) was created in 2007 to get residents to prioritize physical activity and recognize the benefits of walking, such as weight reduction, muscle strengthening, improved joint flexibility, enhanced cardiovascular health, and more.
The AHA recommends visiting a local trail or park or even getting on the treadmill if you can’t get outside. Stretching before and after, being aware of trail conditions, bringing a friend, and wearing comfortable clothes are all ways to make walking more enjoyable. To find a local trail near you, visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website.