by CATRINA PETERSEN | The Center SquareFILE - Illinois legislators set to change 'offender' to 'justice-impacted individual' " in state law, a move Republicans say disrespects victims of violent crime.
The ARI program, through community services as an alternative to prison, aims to reduce crime and recidivism at a lower cost to taxpayers. “We’re adding the DOC, adding Human Services, Sangamon and Cook County adult probation and two members who have experienced the ARI system as offenders or as justice-impacted individuals,” Peters said.
“There seems to be this rush to take away all accountability for people who commit crimes. If a person is going to get on the right path, they have to know they did something wrong. This apologizing for the criminal, the person who chooses to commit crimes to the detriment of our victims, the people who don’t choose to be victims of crimes, is absolutely incredible. Crime is up 38% year-to-date since 2019. Crime is up everywhere.