South Central Reporter

State Senators Jason Plummer and Steve McClure have expressed their concerns following the signing of Senate Bill 19 by Governor Pritzker. The bill introduces changes to the Illinois Prisoner Review Board (PRB), a move that has sparked controversy.

The senators, both members of the Senate Executive Appointments Committee, released a joint statement criticizing the governor's decision. They highlighted a recent incident they attribute to a decision made by the PRB, stating, “After the Governor ignored our consistent and clear warnings, a horrible murder was triggered by a terrible decision by the Prisoner Review Board (PRB).”

They further criticized the bill for making it more challenging for the PRB to prevent violent criminals from being released. According to them, “It also shields PRB members from being held accountable by the Senate, which has a duty to vet the members in a timely manner.”

The senators accused Governor Pritzker of prioritizing political interests over public safety. Their statement concluded with strong words: “This is a dangerous decision driven by the Governor’s political desire to keep activists happy rather than prioritize the safety of our communities.”