McLean County Times

Republican state Rep. Dan Caulkins is calling attention to three bills that he opposed that all passed on Jan. 5.

House Resolution 595 paves the way for remote voting by members on any session day. With the measure passing 69-26, Caulkins argues that “members need to be in their seats and speaking up on the issues on behalf of their constituents. It is much more powerful to be there in person and in discussion with members on the important issues we vote on.”

Rep. Greg Harris filed House Resolution 595 on Jan 4, and it passed Jan. 5

As House Bill 3138 passed by a 66-34 vote without any GOP support, Caulkins countered “this bill is nothing more than a way for lightly qualified Democrats to run in smaller gerrymandered Democrat-majority districts instead of countywide. Democrats want all counties to have a judicial system like Cook County.”

Caulkins further blasts the changes as opening the door for the judiciary system to become more partisan.

“In that regard, the lighter bail or no-cash bail determinations that are common place in Cook County will filter into the neighboring county of DuPage which is known for giving people with serious felony arrests tougher bail conditions,” he added.

The Senate sponsors of House Bill 3138 include Sen. President Don  Harmon, and John Connor. Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez sponsored the bill on  the house side.

Finally, Caulkins opposed House Bill 3512, also known as the Criminal Justice Reform Trailer Bill that passed 67-42. This bill gave the Prisoner Review Board guidelines on what they are supposed to do with hearings.

“Trailer bills are bills that fix mistakes that were unintended or usually that received a backlash from the community dealing with the issue that a change was necessary,” he said. “This bill tweaked changes on phone call protocol of people arrested, dates on when mandatory supervised release for class 3 and 4 felons take place and changes to the Police Training act, including offenses that would automatically decertify an officer.”