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In a controversial move that has sparked heated debates among Illinois lawmakers, proposed House Bill 4409 aims to change the term “offender” to “justice-impacted individual” for those convicted of a crime. This controversial change is part of an ongoing effort to update language in state law, reflecting a distinct divide between Democrats and Republicans in Illinois’ state legislature.
During a Wednesday hearing, Republican State Sen. Terri Bryant criticized the proposed change, citing the considerable amount of taxpayer money spent when government agencies alter language. Bryant argued: “Over and over again, we keep changing the name of how we are referring to those who have entered into criminal activity, and each time we make that change, each agency has to make that change on every one of their documents. Right now in the Department of Corrections, there’s multiple changes that have been made, and it’s costing thousands and thousands of dollars just to do a name change. Why is it necessary to make the name change?”
Republican State Sen. Steve McClure supported Bryant’s concerns and expressed his belief that the change removes accountability for criminal actions, especially for those who commit heinous crimes. McClure stated, “There seems to be this rush to take away all accountability for people who commit crimes” and that “apologizing for the criminal, the person who chooses to commit crimes to the detriment of our victims … is absolutely incredible.” As an example, he mentioned the case of the perpetrator responsible for killing 11-year-old Jayden Perkins, arguing that the man was not a “justice-impacted individual” but an “offender.”
Despite this opposition, Democratic State Sen. Robert Peters advocated for the name change, insisting that the terminology plays a critical role in rehabilitation outcomes. He argued that the term “justice-impacted individual” recognizes that individuals have been affected by the criminal justice system and emphasizes their humanity. Peters praised the bill, stating it intends to add the Department of Corrections, Department of Human Services, Sangamon and Cook County adult probation, and two members with experience in the Adult Redeploy Illinois (ARI) system as either offenders or justice-impacted individuals.
After passing both the House and Senate, the bill will soon be sent to the governor for his signature. As Illinois finds itself grappling with the decision to change language in addressing those convicted of a crime, the proposed bill highlights an ongoing debate regarding the importance of language in the rehabilitation process. With strong opinions on both sides, the outcome of this controversial bill will undoubtedly have lasting impacts on the state’s approach to criminal justice and the individuals it seeks to reintegrate into society.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding House Bill 4409 demonstrates the deep-seated division between Democrats and Republicans over the role of language in criminal justice and rehabilitation. As Illinois lawmakers continue to deliberate on whether to adopt the term “justice-impacted individual,” the issue raises important questions about the impact of terminology on society’s perception of those who have committed crimes and their potential for redemption. Ultimately, it remains to be seen whether this linguistic shift will lead to better outcomes for the individuals it seeks to label and the criminal justice system as a whole.
