The Illinois House of Representatives had created a new committee to investigate the state's criminal justice system. The purpose is to address inequalities that exist within it. It will be known as the Restorative Justice Committee.
The chairman of the committee, State Rep. LaShawn Ford, has stated that he wants to use this new committee to address wide-ranging issues, such as disparities in sentencing guidelines, reducing violent crime in Chicago, and finding jobs for ex-offenders.
The irony is that Ford has been indicted for bank fraud, though he has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
“Even before the situation that has occurred with me, you will see that my record shows that I’ve always fought for a fairness in justice,” Ford said, according to WBEZ. Perhaps someone who has had their own encounters with the criminal justice system will be able to provide better insight into what needs to be improved.
There are already house committees that discuss the individual issues that will be addressed by the Restorative Justice Committee. However, the new committee has said they will look at all sides of these issues. They want to look at how people in Illinois view crime and, hopefully, be able to prevent violent offenders from committing a crime to begin with.
No legislation has been assigned to the committee yet.
Source: WBEZ
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