Galesburg Reporter

Sen. Win Stoller voiced his concerns about crime increasing in Illinois.

“As violent crime continues to spike throughout the state, we must not only ensure that our police are adequately funded but we must also implement policies that supports law enforcement officers and provides them with the tools they need to fight violent crimes,” Stoller wrote on Facebook.

Safewise wrote 2022 is the second-consecutive year of violent crime rise.

Stoller shared a link to an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal, entitled: Defunding the Police and Consequences.

Brookings Institution noted various myths associated with defunding police. One myth is defunding will cause disorder; however, Brookings argued allocating funding in education and infrastructure make peaceful societies. 

“Critics of the police movement assert that we need heavily funded and armed police forces to protect the public from violent criminal elements,” Brookings added. “However, there isn’t sufficient data to support that position. In fact, research has found that the police don’t have a notoriously efficient track record of solving violent crime.”

Stoller was also vocal when the budget was passed. 

“Already billions of dollars in debt, already having higher taxes on our employers, already having employees in that situation having reduced benefits when we enter a recession and have the related spike in unemployment," Stoller said. "Other states that took action are not going to be in that position. They're going to be in a position to take care that their employees who need unemployment benefits in their time of need, but we are shortchanging ours.

“Kicking the can down the road doesn't solve our problems. Delaying action doesn't solve our problems. In fact, it's these delays that got us in the mess that we are in in the first place and I do not think we should be heading down that path."

On April 9, Senate Bill 157 passed the Senate with one 'no' vote, and the House unanimously.

Many Republicans are not happy with the bill.

“Let’s call this budget what it really is — an attempt to buy your vote,” Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie  said, WTTW reported. “While some tax relief is better than none at all, Illinoisans deserve real relief instead of bigger government.”

The upcoming Fiscal budget for Illinois noted it’ll support the hiring of 300 police cadets.

Stoller was first elected to the Illinois Senate in 2021. A Republican, their legislative experience includes serving on the Environment and Conservation Committee and Senate Higher Education Committee. Stoller is a state senator who resides in Germantown Hills, according to the Illinois Senate.