Cook County’s state’s attorney wants stricter prison sentences for repeated gun offenders. But the county’s top public defender questions that.
A panel of state lawmakers are evaluating why Illinois’ prisons are overcrowded - and if the right people are behind bars. To find the answer, they heard testimony from Cook County’s top prosecutor Anita Alvarez. She says the right people are NOT in prison.
"These repeat gun offenders know and understand our system. Gang members themselves have told us that they think our gun laws are a joke."
Alvarez also wants to reduce the penalties for low level marijuana charges. But the county’s top public defender, AC Cunningham says the prisons are overpopulated because of state policies - not because there’s more crime.
"Are we trying to rehabilitate, or are we trying to change society’s ills through incarceration?"
Lawmakers also heard complaints that someone driving on a suspended license can be put in prison longer than someone who hits a police officer.