REDUCING ILLINOIS JAIL AND PRISON POPULATION

Illinois has a problem with mass incarceration. Among other indicators, our state prison system was designed to house approximately 32,000 individuals, but currently houses nearly 40,000 people - many of whom are serving long sentences. Each year, more people enter our prisons.

Do you believe that Cook County and the State of Illinois should reduce their current incarceration rates? If yes, please describe what specific policies you will pursue if elected to reduce the number of people incarcerated in prisons and jails.

CONWAY: 

Yes
We have a mass incarceration problem where nonviolent offenders are locked away because they can't afford to bond out. Often, they may be there because they have substance abuse problems or mental health issues or facing other struggles like homelesseness. We need to significantly reduce the number of people we are locking away without jeopardizing the safety of our communities. As State's Attorney, I will prioritize reforming bond guidance for nonviolent crimes and expand our use of diversion programs so that people can continue participating in society when they pose no danger to others.

FIORETTI:

Yes
Legalizing marijuana is the policy that will do the most to reduce the prison population. For too long, the war on drugs unfairly targeted minority neighborhoods and citizens in greater proportion than society as a whole.

FOXX: 

Yes
Public safety is best served by detaining those who pose a threat to our communities rather than jailing those who are simply poor and unable to post bond for nonviolent offenses; This costs taxpayers millions of dollars per year and does not serve public safety. We have focused on bail reform, having instructed our prosecutors to recommend that people charged with misdemeanors and low-level felonies who do not have a history of “violent crime” or pose a risk to public safety be released pre-trial, in addition to expunging 1,000 low level marijuana offenders, and overturning more than 90 wrongful convicted citizens which leads the nation. We have to be proactive in continuing to right the wrongs of the failed war on drugs and being diligent in making sure our criminal justice system is actually serving justice. Under my leadership incarceration in regards to the Cook County jail population is now at a historic low.

MORE: 

DID NOT RESPOND


O'BRIEN: 

DID NOT RESPOND


PFANNKUCHE:

DID NOT RESPOND


 

QUESTION 2

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