Andrew Charles Kopinski - Cook County State's Attorney Candidate Questionnaire

Illinois and nationwide, Black and Latinx people are more likely to be incarcerated than white people. This disparity is identified as a significant driver in mass incarceration and results from over policing of people of color, who are more likely to be charged with more serious crimes, more likely to be pressured to plea and more likely to be sentenced to time in prison. The starting point for disparity begins with unnecessary interactions with law enforcement, that include the intensive use of surveillance tools in communities of color and higher rates of traffic and pedestrian stops for Black and Latinx people. 

1. Do you believe that people of color in Illinois and Cook County are disproportionately incarcerated? What role, if any, do you believe that the State’s Attorney plays in the disproportionate incarceration of people of color? What specific steps will you/your office take to reduce the disproportionate incarceration of people of color in your first term?
   
   KOPINSKI: The war on drugs and disproportionate 
   sentences for crack cocaine versus powdered 
   cocaine helped produce disproportionate 
   incarceration of people of color.  
   
   Unfortunately, crime rates snd victimization 
   are higher in certain areas among people of 
   color, which leads to relatively more 
   incarceration of those committing crimes 
   often against their own people.  

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2. As State’s Attorney, what policies would you implement to address the other forms of racial bias that permeate our criminal legal system
   
   KOPINSKI: Education and economic opportunities can 
   help those reentering society.  Diversion 
   programs to treat  mentally illness  and drug 
   abuse can reduce recidivism.

In the wake of the murder of George Floyd, voters regularly point to the need for additional accountability for police as a step to improving police and community relations and enhancing community safety.  Advocates, community groups and some observers believe that the office of State’s Attorney does little to advance police accountability owing to the close working relationship that exists between police and prosecutors.  

1. As State’s Attorney, would you support the requirement for independent investigations not only in cases where a police officer kills a civilian, but also in cases where a police officer seriously injures a civilian, or stands accused of serious behavior outside their authority/scope of their duties including misconduct, repeated or excessive use of force or activity that violates the civil rights of civilians? Do you support the appointment of a special prosecutor for any case in which there may be a referral for possible prosecution?
   
   KOPINSKI: Civilian oversight boards can help achieve 
   these goals.  Independent investigators and 
   special prosecutors need to be considered. 
   More debate on this issue is needed. 

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2. What additional steps will you take as State’s Attorney to enhance police accountability and build much-needed trust between the police and the public they serve?
   
   KOPINSKI: The State’s Attorney will promote community policing and problem solving policing to enhance police accountability and build much needed trust between the police and the public they serve while solving problems in the community. 

Criminal penalties, especially fines, often fall disproportionately and harshly on members of the community of low economic means. Policies of the State’s Attorney can alleviate or aggravate this reality. 

1. Would you consider the adoption of policies that de-prioritize the prosecution of offenses like shoplifting and trespassing which are often associated with poverty and stigmatize people experiencing poverty as well as those experiencing mental health issues and substance use disorder?
   
   KOPINSKI: People who are experiencing mental health disorders and substance use disorders need to be steered to diversionary programs for treatment, which can help get them out of the criminal justice system, reducing recidivism and saving taxpayers money,  

   Unemployment is low and the economy is strong.
   Shoplifting $300 of groceries is a lot of groceries.  There cannot be free passes for all shoplifting because this leads to more property crime, which can result in physical harm to innocent people. The trends in property crime in Cook County are disturbing and need to be reversed.  

Data demonstrates that early involvement with the criminal legal system is the best predictor for future arrest, prosecution and incarceration. The decisions made by the State’s Attorney around juvenile matters will have a lasting impact on the lives and livelihoods of young people.

1. What policies will you advance to address the needs of youth who are disproportionately impacted by the criminal legal system – especially youth who are Black, Latinx and experiencing poverty? What policies will you adopt and/or continue to prioritize to address the harms created by the school-to-prison pipeline?
   
   KOPINSKI: Diversion programs for the mentally ill, drug users, juvenile delinquents and others can be effective in keeping people out of the.criminal legal system, reducing recidivism, and saving taxpayers money. 

   The school to prison pipeline needs to be looked at carefully. Rehabilitation of the young in the most effective manner needs to be the goal.  Children need to be taught to value their freedom and independence and avoid losing it by being caught in the criminal justice system. 

While Illinois has protected access to reproductive health care and gender-affirming care in our state, policy makers and prosecutors in other states are seeking to extend their bans on this fundamental health care to Illinois. 

1. As State’s Attorney, will you commit to policies that ensure that no one should have to face criminal investigation or charge in another state when seeking lawful health care in Illinois, especially abortion care and gender-affirming care? 
   
   KOPINSKI: As State’s Attorney, I will support the right to privacy of those seeking lawful health care in Illinois.  Criminal investigations will focus mainly on insurance fraud in health care.  

1. How would you plan to engage the community as State’s Attorney, including community-based organizations, criminal legal system and policing reform advocates, and other neighborhood-based groups as part of determining priorities and setting policies for your office?
   
   KOPINSKI: I would go to community meetings where these issues are being discussed.  Face to face meetings will enhance my understanding of the situation.  It will give me a chance to explain my more practical policies and show how they are better for dealing with crime.  This will also build trust and a relationship with the community. 

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2. The State’s Attorneys Association holds great sway in Springfield in the debate and adoption of policies related to the criminal legal system.  How would you attempt to influence the association’s agenda in a direction that advances civil liberties and civil rights, especially for the communities in your jurisdiction that are disproportionately harmed by regressive policies that gain traction in the legislature? 
   
   KOPINSKI: Policy needs to focus on violent crimes and
   property crimes without overburdening the 
   people with things which accomplish little, 
   but harm civil liberties and civil rights. 

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3. Will you actively collaborate with legislators and advocates in Springfield to engage in debate about policies that impact the criminal legal system independent of the State’s Attorney’s Association? What are examples of priority legislation that you would support and oppose?
   
   KOPINSKI: Yes.  The issue of completely eliminating bail needs to be studied and debated.  A low bail policy canserve as a deterrent to crime and not be too harsh on poor people.

Would you support or oppose the following: