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A Note From Roger Eddy

A Note from Roger Eddy

Roger Eddy  /  February 16, 2012  /  Views: 50  /   No Comments

Once again last week, there was very little floor action in the House as just a couple of routine bills were passed, both unanimously. One proposed Constitutional Amendment did get close to a unanimous vote (116-2). HJRCA29 is a proposed change to the Illinois Constitution that has been the result of years of work by many members of the General Assembly on both sides of the aisle. The proposal is intended to deal with the rights of victims when crimes are committed.

The proposed Constitutional Amendment amends the Bill of Rights Article of the Illinois Constitution concerning crime victim's rights. It provides that in addition to other rights provided in the Constitutional provision, a crime victim has the right to: (1) be free from harassment, intimidation, and abuse; (2) refuse to disclose information that is privileged or confidential by law; (3) timely notification of post-trial proceedings; (4) be heard in person or in any other reasonable manner the victim chooses at any proceeding involving a post-arraignment release decision, plea, sentencing, post-conviction or post-adjudication release decision, or any proceeding in which a right of the victim is at issue; (5) receive a report prepared for sentencing, reduction in sentence, parole, early release, or clemency, when available to the accused; and (6) have the safety of the victim and the victim's family considered in denying or fixing the amount of bail, determining whether to release the defendant, and setting conditions of release after arrest and conviction. Provides that nothing in this Constitutional provision creates any cause of action for compensation or damages against the State, any political subdivision of the State, any officer, employee, or agent of the State or of any of its political subdivisions, or any officer or employee of the court.

I am a co-sponsor of this Proposed Constitutional Amendment. For far too long, Illinois has lagged behind other states in protecting crime victims and this Amendment to the Constitution will provide an avenue for crime victim rights to be enforced. The proposal now moves to the Senate where it appears the measure will have the necessary support to pass and then be placed on the ballot for the citizens of Illinois to vote on soon.

The continued good news regarding gun legislation is that the three Chicago gun grabbing bills that I outlined in previous weeks were not called for a vote last week. Rest assured, if these bills are called for a vote, I will work hard along with my downstate colleagues to defeat - abiding citizens while doing nothing to reduce crime. I am not certain, but I do not believe that criminals and gang bangers will register guns and pay these fees. However, the measure would result in millions of dollars being collected through general revenue to be spent on entitlement programs while punishing law-abiding citizens.

I will work with other members of the downstate coalition on both sides of the aisle to see this proposal defeated. My goals for this session regarding gun rights are simple: 1) Defeat these ridiculous attempts to punish and further reduce the rights of law abiding citizens, 2) Pass Conceal and Carry so that Illinois joins the other forty-nine states in America that recognize the Second Amendment Rights of citizens to protect themselves and 3) support measures that would end the FOID card as a means of limiting gun owners rights.

Thanks to those of you who took time to contact me regarding input on a bill that was introduced a couple of weeks ago that is aimed at fixing what many believe to be a major problem in the Illinois eavesdropping law. Current laws in Illinois related to recording allow for Class 1 felony charges to be brought against a citizen who records a police officer in a public place performing public duties. With the availability of video and audio technology, many people would not think twice about recording an officer in a public place performing a public duty. Because of the way the current law is written, it seems that Illinois eavesdropping laws no longer protect the First Amendment Rights of Citizens. Please take a look at HB3944 and let me know what you think. The bill passed out of committee last week by a narrow margin and your thoughts are important to me. The full text of the proposal is at www.ilga.gov and you simply type the bill number into the search box.

The House was not scheduled to be in session the week of February 13 but will resume the week of February 20. The Governor is scheduled to deliver the annual budget address on February 22.

I can be reached via e-mail at reddyunit1@aol.com, call either of my offices: 618-563-4128 or 217-558-1040 or write to me at P.O. Box 125, Hutsonville, IL 62433. You can also keep up to date on my website: www.peopleforeddy.com.

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