On Monday, April 9th HB 4588 and HB 4586 were scheduled to be heard in the House Judicial-Criminal Committee, but they were not allowed to be voted on.
Springfield, IL – State Representative Tony McCombie (IL-71st) released the following statement after common sense legislative measures to protect DCFS workers and adult protective service employees from assault were pulled and put in subcommittee to not be heard.
“Members of the majority, as well as their staff have stated that they are not willing to hear bills that will increase penalties as they want to reform our criminal justice system. Reform by definition means to improve… not ignore. Pam Knight lost her life serving Illinois and the very least the General Assembly can do is, is to allow the bill to be read in committee. Our job is to help give the tools to our schools and communities to stop crimes from happening and to protect individuals who serve our most vulnerable,“ said Rep. McCombie.
“I also find the timing of these actions extremely unfair and hypocritical. The majority has passed several pieces of legislation this session that were not heard in committee and will increase penalties for law-abiding gun owners. Unlike those gun control bills, HB4586 has bipartisan support with 43 co-sponsors and has no opponents.”
HB 4586, sponsored by Rep. McCombie, adds protections to DCFS and Adult Protective Service employees from assault, the same protections applied to police, fire, and other emergency responders who protect our most vulnerable. This bill was drafted after DCFS worker, Pam Knight was brutally beaten to death in the fall.
HB 4588, ‘Zachary’s Law’ is named in honor of 18-year-old Zachary Phillips who was murdered by a parolee who gained access to his parole host’s gun. HB 4588 adds ‘teeth’ to the state statute, and will hold parole hosts criminally accountable for breaking an agreement they sign. Under the common sense legislation, if a parolee gains access to their parole host’s gun and uses it to commit a crime, the host may also be guilty of a crime. In today’s environment, it is more important than ever to enforce and prosecute those that are not being responsible gun owners. “I am getting the impression that reform is a one-sided, self-serving opinion that will do nothing to positively change and save lives in Illinois,” said Rep McCombie.
Rep. McCombie gave a passionate speech on the House floor to stand up for her constituents.
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