Issue Position: Justice System For All

Issue Position

The justice system is not functioning for communities of color. Illinois leads the nation in overcrowded prisons. Nationwide, African-American and Latinos comprise well over half of all prisoners, even though African-Americans and Latinos make up approximately one quarter of the total US population. We must stop the mass incarceration of our communities immediately, it's destroying our communities and it's an unnecessary expense for the state. We have to tackle economic violence, but not by putting more people in jail. We must find alternatives, like promoting restorative justice.

I will sponsor legislation to end the cash bond system that keeps low income individuals incarcerated for minor offenses and lacking the financial stability to post bond. I will push the legalization of Marijuana at the state level not just for the economic benefits, but to reject the failed drug war in our neighborhoods. I will commit to funding programs to repair the communities destroyed by these outdated laws. I will tirelessly advocate to increase protection for immigrants, with no loopholes or carveouts to allow ICE to terrorize our neighbors and separate families.

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