Illinois Anti-Street Gang Fund Almost Out Of Money
By Chuck Sudo in News on Apr 16, 2013 5:00PM
NBC Chicago reports the state fund for anti-gang initiatives only has $1,700 in it. A 2010 state law, which imposes a $100 fine for any gang member convicted of a crime, was intended to raise millions to help police agencies in Illinois fund anti-gang initiatives.
Officials were quick to pass the buck. State Sen. Kimberly Lightford, who co-sponsored the law, laid the blame at state’s attorneys to enforce the fines. But Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Sally Daly told NBC Chicago it’s up to judges to order fines and clerk’s offices to collect them. The County Circuit Court Clerk’s office told NBC Chicago defendants simply don’t pay their fines, or worse, treat it like a layaway plan.
"If a gang member is assessed the fine, he or she would have to actually pay the fine," said Circuit Court spokesperson Jalyne Strong. "Our experience is that many defendants do not pay their fines, or only make partial payments, some as little as $5.00 at a time."
Over 42,000 gang members were arrested by Chicago Police last year, which would have generated $2.1 million if half of them were convicted.
Guess crime doesn’t pay if you’re an Illinois law enforcement agency.