Durbin Calls on Members of Illinois Senate to Support Bill to Improve Security in East St. Louis

Senator rarely advocates for the passage of state legislation

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on members of the Illinois Senate to support legislation introduced by Illinois State Senate Majority Leader James Clayborne that would strengthen local policing efforts and help improve the safety and security of East St. Louis and three nearby Metro East communities. Durbin added that, as a member of Congress, it is extremely rare for him to advocate for the passage of state legislation – a move he does not take lightly.

“I was born and raised in East St. Louis. It pains me to see my old hometown living in daily fear. As a member of Congress, I have worked with federal agencies…to prioritize enhancing the safety of the East St. Louis area. But this problem cannot be solved by federal action alone,” wrote Durbin. “I urge the Senate to do all it can to ensure that East St. Louis and nearby communities become a safe place for families to live and work and for children to grow up. An important step in that process would be the creation of the Metro East Police District Commission.”

Senator Clayborne’s legislation, which has been added by Senate amendment to House Bill 1404 and is currently pending before the Senate, would establish a Metro East Police District Commission consisting of seven members appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Senate and seven members appointed by the Metro East communities themselves. The Commission would have the authority to establish operational and ethical standards for four police departments – East St. Louis, Washington Park, Alorton and Brooklyn – and it would also be empowered to apply for and manage state and federal grants and appropriations.

Durbin also renewed his call for East St. Louis Mayor Alvin L. Parks Jr., to partner with church leaders and federal, state and local officials to reduce crime in East St. Louis by reining in the city’s club scene and stopping late night liquor sales. Last month, Durbin was joined by Dr. Zachary Lee, Pastor of the Mount Paran Missionary Baptist Church and members of the Concerned Citizens for Safety in East St. Louis in calling on Parks to better address the incidents of violent crime in or near East St. Louis clubs.

[Text of letter below]

Dear [State Senator]:

I commend Senate Majority Leader James Clayborne for his legislation that would establish a Metro East Police District Commission. This legislation, which has been added by Senate amendment to House Bill 1404 and is currently pending before the Senate, would improve the safety and security of East St. Louis and three nearby communities.

I strongly support this legislation. For too long, residents of the East St. Louis area have lived in a climate of crushing violence. East St. Louis’ crime rate is one of the highest in America, with a murder rate 20 times the national average for its population size. The nearby Metro East communities of Washington Park, Alorton and Brooklyn have also suffered from levels of crime disproportionate to their small size. We must take action to end this intolerable situation.

Metro East law enforcement and community leaders have concluded that the municipal police departments serving these four communities are not capable of stemming the violence. While the joint federal-state Working Against Violent Elements (WAVE) Task Force has provided important assistance to local policing efforts in the area, it is clear that reform of these communities’ police departments is critically needed. This reform must ensure that the police departments of these Metro East communities conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and without corruption.

Senator Clayborne’s legislation will promote this reform through the creation of a Metro East Police District Commission consisting of seven members appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Senate and seven members appointed by the Metro East communities themselves. The Commission would have the authority to establish operational and ethical standards for the four police departments, and it would also be empowered to apply for state and federal grants and appropriations. The Commission would be subject to regular audits and oversight by the Auditor General and the General Assembly regarding its operations. This legislation will strengthen the quality of local policing in the area, create accountability, and advance safety and security.

I was born and raised in East St. Louis. It pains me to see my old hometown living in daily fear. As a member of Congress, I have worked with federal agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Department of Housing and Urban Development to prioritize enhancing the safety of the East St. Louis area. But this problem cannot be solved by federal action alone.

I am sending this letter to every member of the Illinois Senate – a step that I do not take often nor lightly. I urge the Senate to do all it can to ensure that East St. Louis and nearby communities become a safe place for families to live and work and for children to grow up. An important step in that process would be the creation of the Metro East Police District Commission.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Richard J. Durbin

United States Senator

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