DeKalb Times

Sen. Dave Syverson (R-DeKalb) criticized House Democrats for killing a bill that would suspend local elected officials charged with crimes that could put residents at risk, according to a news release from the senator’s office.

Senate Bill 3460 was introduced by Syverson after Winnebago County Coroner Bill Hintz was charged with forgery, theft, official misconduct, and conspiracy.

The Senate advanced the bill but it was defeated in the House.

“We were sending a strong message with this legislation – elected officials are not above the law,” Syverson said. “It’s very disappointing, and frankly hard to understand, why House Democrats stopped a bill that would protect taxpayers and families. It will now be a year before this legislation can be reintroduced again.”

Senate Bill 3460 would have allowed the county board to review the crime and place the individual on administrative leave, according to a state summary of the legislation. The board could then forward their findings to the state's attorney or attorney general (if the incident involves the state's attorney). The state's attorney or attorney general would then be allowed to move that the individual be placed on administrative leave with the circuit court.           

The legislation was requested by Winnebago County Chairman Joe Chiarelli and was drafted by Winnebago County State’s Attorney J. Hanley, according to the news release.      

“The public is losing their confidence in the legislature’s ability to protect them," Syverson said. “Witness the horrendous crime activity coming on the heels of the majority party forcing through its ‘defunding of police’ legislation last year. Then comes the indictment of former House Speaker Michael Madigan and a number of Chicago-area legislators. Now, the majority party’s action to kill a bill that would hold elected official[s] accountable further sends the message that their leaders are not serious about protecting the public.”