President Dominick and Senator Sandoval
say NO to gangs
The efforts of State Senator Martin A. Sandoval (D-12) and initiative of Cicero
Town President Larry Dominick championed the approval of legislation SB
0141 as the new law which increases penalties against gang members in
Illinois.
Pictured:
Senator Sandoval (center) discusses the new legislation with Illinois
state troopers, who praised it as an improvement to combat crime and
violence more effectively.
Chicago, Illinois - Governor Pat Quinn signed into law SB 141, which increases penalties for gang members that recruit minors. SB
0141 is the new public safety law in Illinois thanks to the efforts of
State Senator Martin A. Sandoval (D-12) who championed the legislation
in Springfield, and the effective initiative of Cicero Town President
Larry Dominick.
"Like
President Larry Dominick with the Town of Cicero, I have zero tolerance
for those who recruit minors into gangs," said Sandoval. "Currently,
there is no way to prosecute these gang members, this will drastically change that."
The current law in effect, the Illinois Street Gang Terrorism
Omnibus Prevention Act, provides that a civil action can be filed
against street gangs and their members for recruiting minors. This
allows for people to recover money for damages done by gangs. In
addition, current provisions of the law only apply to gang recruitment
on school grounds or public property adjacent to school grounds.
"Senator Sandoval and I have worked to make sure that we put an end
to minors being recruited by street gangs," said Larry Dominick.
"Fighting gangs, crime and graffiti have been a focus during my tenure as President of the Town of Cicero."
Senate
Bill 141 will create the offense of criminal street gang recruitment of
a minor. The penalty for recruiting a minor will be a class 1 felony,
or four to fifteen years in jail and a fine of $25,000. Recruitment is
defined in this legislation as a threat of physical force to coerce,
solicit, recruit or induce another person to join or remain a member of
a criminal street gang. This legislation also expressly includes the
use of the internet or other telecommunication devices to coerce.
"Gangs are a major public security issue for our communities," said
Sandoval. "This legislation will provide recourse for the police and
family members who are dealing with gang members recruiting minors on a
daily basis."
Senator
Sandoval represents the 12th Legislative District that includes the
Southwest Side of Chicago, the Town of Cicero, the City of Berwyn and
the Village of Stickney.
The new law signed by Gov. Quinn becomes effective on January 1, 2010.
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