Oak Park police, parent group and state rep all question best route when teens are found with small amount of marijuana

59°

Should pot be a crime?

Friday, August 5th, 2011 2:56 PM

Updated: Tuesday, August 9th, 2011 10:00 PM

State Rep. LaShawn Ford

House Bill 100 synopsis

Amends the Cannabis Control Act; provides that a person who knowingly possesses not more than 28.35 grams of any substance containing cannabis is guilty of a petty offense and shall be fined $500 for a first offense, $750 for a second offense, and $1,000 for a third or subsequent offense. Provides that the delivery of not more than 28.35 (rather than 10) grams of any substance containing cannabis without consideration is a casual delivery treated as a possession offense for purposes of penalties; provides that 50 percent of the fines collected under the act shall be allocated to or among the law enforcement agency or agencies of the unit, or units of local government which conducted the seizure.

Conceal and carry town hall

Along with seeking public input on decriminalizing petty marijuana possession, state Rep. LaShawn Ford will hold a town hall this month focusing on another controversial crime issue — citizens carrying concealed firearms.

Legislation pending in the Illinois House sponsored mostly by Republicans and a handful of Democrats would allow adults age 21 and older to carry concealed firearms via an issued permit. More than 40 House members have signed on as sponsors.

Introduced in early January, House Bill 0148 has been in the legislature's rules committee since late May.

Ford, who is not a sponsor of the bill, said he hasn't yet made up his mind on whether or not to support the bill. To help him make up his mind, he is hosting a town hall on Wednesday, Aug. 31 in Chicago's Austin community. The representative acknowledged that gun violence is a huge problem in Chicago. But Ford maintained that he wants to follow the wishes of the community.

"If this is something the people of the 8th District feel they need me to represent, either as an opponent or a proponent, then that's my job."

Wednesday, Aug. 31
4630 W. Augusta
For more info: 773-378-5902

By Terry Dean

Staff reporter

Oak Park police and a parent group concerned about drug and alcohol use by local teens are readying a recommendation to village trustees that might change how young people found with small amounts of marijuana are dealt with.

The recommendation, which will likely focuses on fines and treatment instead of prosecution, is in line with recent state and county proposals put forward by State Rep. LaShawn Ford (D-8th) and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. Both elected officials have questioned the effectiveness and the cost of using overcrowded county courts and county jail to deal with young people arrested for possessing a small amount of pot.

Ford insisted he's not looking to decriminalize drugs but to get people into treatment rather than a jail cell for possessing small amounts of the drug.

"If we can stop clogging up the courts and can reduce the number of people that become felons, I think that's an issue worth pursuing," Ford said

Oak Park Police Chief Rick Tanksley said his officers can spend an hour or more of their day dealing with low-level marijuana cases. If those cases involve youth, Tanksley said the amount of time actually increases because officers spend additional time talking with parents.

Tanksley stressed the village has not finalized any plans on decriminalizing petty marijuana offenses, but said a recommendation will likely be presented to village trustees in September after they return from their August break. Tanksley said the community group IMPACT—comprised of parents and community residents from Oak Park and River Forest—is involved in the discussion. The group formed out of the anti-drug campaign that began last year among some OPRF parents to address the high school's drug and alcohol problem among students.

Tanksley, who sits on IMPACT's law enforcement sub committee, said people do make mistakes but end up with a permanent record that will follow them.

"If we can get help early on for these kids and put them through our local adjudication system instead of placing them in the courts, that offense won't follow them when they go off to school and later when they enter the workplace, and have to explain why they have this possession charge," Tanksley said.

Ford (D-8th) earlier this year introduced a bill in the state legislature that would decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana, instead charging offenders a fine and making treatment an option rather than a prison term.

With Ford's bill stalled in Springfield and Preckwinkle's recent public statements about the issue, the state rep is planning a public town hall meeting next month to allow the community to weigh in. The time and location for that event is still being worked out, said Ford.

Preckwinkle made news in late July by strongly suggesting that Chicago police stop arresting low-level marijuana users, saying judges often dismiss such cases when they come before them. Citing the $142-per day cost to house an inmate, Preckwinkle said she wants to see more money go toward treatment and education. The jails, she noted, are clogged with such petty drug offenders.

Ford, a two-term state rep, echoes much of what Preckwinkle says. He introduced his legislation, House Bill 100, in January but it's been buried in the General Assembly's rules committee since mid-March. If approved, the legislation would amend the state's Cannabis Control Act and make the possession of anything less than 28.35 grams (1 ounce) of marijuana a minor offense. Fines of $500, $750 and $1,000 would be issued on a first, second or third offenses respectively.

Ford, who represents Oak Park and western suburban communities such as Forest Park, as well as Chicago's Austin community, is the bill's only sponsor and, so far, no other state lawmakers have publicly expressed their support.

According to Ford, his bill would also funnel a large portion of the collected fines to social services, such as hiring more police—a small portion will go to drug prevention programs for kids.

Under the current Cannabis Control Act, possessing anything less than 30 grams is a misdemeanor offense, and anything above that amount is a felony. Cannabis substances, according to the act, include marijuana and hashish. Preckwinkle's focus, though, is only on marijuana, she says.

In Cook County, a large number of possession cases are dropped during preliminary hearings, according the Preckwinkle's office, yet alleged offenders can spend weeks in jail waiting for the case to be heard. Ford said his bill is one way to de-populate prisons by preventing people from entering in the first place.

He noted that prisons across the country are filled with non-violent, petty drug offenders, adding that housing those inmates has put a drain on state budgets.

"We're really not helping anyone if we keep looking to fill prisons. Prisons should be for violent offenders," he said. "This is costing us millions of dollars because we have to put them in prison and take care of them for the rest of their lives. If we make them pay a fine and get them treatment, they can hopefully become productive citizens. Right now, they're not."

Reader Comments

27 Comments - Add Your Comment

Comment Policy

Don

Posted: Tuesday, August 9th, 2011 9:55 AM

@Joe, ya. So your life 101 is the standard for all people that smoke? Pretty big ego on you there. My life 101 see's people of all walks who succeed, have good jobs and families and recreationally use it as people do alcohol. My life 101 also sees people with RA, and MSD use it to treat pain and enable any sort of life. Not everyone sits there 24hrs a day and smokes, perhaps that was your problem and it's a sign of something else, not the pot. @Dave Pot's not a drug, grow up.

Joe

Posted: Tuesday, August 9th, 2011 12:25 AM

@ Dave Coulter, It's not about enabling. The County Jail is so understaffed they got a federal mandate to hire guards they cannot afford to hire. A large percentage of detainees are reported to be there for petty drug offenses. It takes FOREVER to go to trial at 26th and Cal. Every day it takes...you and I pay for, just to get to the court hearing that you and I pay for as well. We lose more revenue and create more expenses in jailing them while collecting close to nothing in fees & fines.

Joe

Posted: Tuesday, August 9th, 2011 12:20 AM

@ Don, you smoke don't you? I used to think the same stuff too...and my sister still does. Problem is I was smoking way before her so I'm kind of accustomed to the pro weed theories. I'll tell you this..out of my Phd and MD friends...all of them have smoked recreationally before. Out of my OLD never had a progressive or steady job leading to a career, still living off of mom, never finished school friends...ALL of them STILL HABITUALLY smoke. That's not DARE. That's Life 101.

Joe

Posted: Tuesday, August 9th, 2011 12:12 AM

@ Epic, while we apparently aren't on the same side of this issue I find your posts at least entertaining.

Joe

Posted: Tuesday, August 9th, 2011 12:09 AM

@ Don, you must have me confused. I've been close friends and a relative to some extreme weed heads and I think all of them are where I left them when I stopped smoking it myself. I'm not so sure how shocked I would be at who uses it as a former user myself. If you read my comment again you'll notice that I never said all weed smokers are idiots etc. I did say most of the nonproductive people we know in life all seem to have one thing in common...can you guess??? Ok, just the ones I know.

Dave Coulter

Posted: Monday, August 8th, 2011 8:35 PM

Terrific. Our economy barely lurches forward, people need decent jobs and our leaders give us a town forum about enabling drug use.

Don

Posted: Monday, August 8th, 2011 7:09 PM

@Joe, prove that statement. You would be shocked to learn of the people in your life, family members, co-workers, doctors YES DOCTORS that use it. Your refer madness fears cannot be proved other than through a promotional brochure you downloaded on the DARE website.

epic lulz

Posted: Monday, August 8th, 2011 5:07 PM

"the drug trade is the cause of death of many people" And all those deaths can be attributed to the fact that the drugs are ILLEGAL. They have nothing to do with the nature of the drugs themselves. So, if you are really interested in saving lives, decriminalize drugs and treat drug abuse as a health issue.

epic lulz

Posted: Monday, August 8th, 2011 5:04 PM

@Joe, it's a proven fact that those like you who conflate causation and correlation or anedote and fact have serious brain damage most often associated with glue sniffing. It's also possible that you have instead hammered several nails into your brain. If that is the case, I apologize for pegging you as a glue sniffer.

s.d.plissken

Posted: Monday, August 8th, 2011 4:06 PM

taxpayer, if you can be given a ticket, you will still be committing a crime. I think all are correct instating that smoking "god's flower" does not kill people. However, the drug trade is the cause of death of many people...just not people that we tend to know.

taxpayer

Posted: Monday, August 8th, 2011 3:59 PM

just let me smoke in the privacy of my home and backyard and not be branded a criminal anymore

Blake

Posted: Monday, August 8th, 2011 10:19 AM

What a very good idea! :)

Septic Flux

Posted: Monday, August 8th, 2011 7:45 AM

I think it's a great idea. Now instead of issuing parking tickets, the police can hang around the high school and library handing out $500 tickets; more bang for the buck.

Jg Morales Facebook Verified

Posted: Monday, August 8th, 2011 4:52 AM

Jim makes good points. What is the value of sending someone to jail for possessing a small quantity of marijuana? It's just a waste of tax dollars, for one. The more important thing is where the person they got it from, got it from. I don't believe recreational use of marijuana is a good thing or even totally harmless, especially if it is illegal. But, what needs to be considered is what happens when these people end up with criminal records. It makes sense to say that they knew what they were getting into. However, with marijuana being so prevalent, almost similar to the ban on alcohol that didn't stick... it should be enough to make one wonder. I'm not for legalization, but I am in support of empathy when it comes to this particular issue. We need to be more concerned with where the drugs are coming from, not the people who are buying them, when it comes to law enforcement. Better to collect money than spend it on imprisoning petty criminals.

Joe

Posted: Monday, August 8th, 2011 1:16 AM

@ Epic, no I'm not. Care to elaborate on your false assumption?

Rich Phils

Posted: Sunday, August 7th, 2011 10:56 PM

Where are da Hoes?

Cheech Marin from California

Posted: Sunday, August 7th, 2011 7:03 PM

Responsibility is a heavy responsibility!

epic lulz

Posted: Sunday, August 7th, 2011 6:21 PM

@Joe, I'm assuming that you're a chronic glue sniffer.

Joe

Posted: Sunday, August 7th, 2011 4:32 PM

@ oz, I'm assuming you're a weed head to say weed is harmless. While there are some exceptions, generally the people you know in life that continue to be stagnant, unproductive, prone to various sorts of trouble, and ridiculous delusions are more often than not those who still get high. These people always talk about how things should be but seldom are actively doing anything about it beside talking and passing the doobie.

Don

Posted: Saturday, August 6th, 2011 11:31 PM

@Brendan, so you're in favor of keeping it illegal which keeps drug dealers on the streets? 1 ounce of pot is not "plenty" you have 0 idea what you're talking about. Putting someone in jail for pot is just stupid and a complete waste of money that could be going to hire more police for actual criminal activity. @Jim, rumors, provide proof.

Jim Coughlin

Posted: Saturday, August 6th, 2011 11:20 PM

Interesting to note that when the decriminalization of marijuana issue was presented to voters in California, a significant amount of the money spent to defeat the measure was traced back to the drug cartels.

Posted: Saturday, August 6th, 2011 8:54 PM

It's important to remember 2 substaniated facts here: 1. Marijunana has never killed anyone. Anyone can die from an overdose of aspirin. Not ONE death has been recorded on an overdose of cannabis. It is harmless and has disovered and undiscovered healing properties. 2. Alcohol, legal in all 50 states, has been responsible for addiction, disease and death. Anyone who is not aware of these facts may do well to do some research prior to expressing an opinion based on myth.

Joe

Posted: Saturday, August 6th, 2011 4:30 PM

@ Brendan...supporting legislation to punish criminals and make our neighborhoods safe???? Do you have any examples? We are notoriously known for our handgun ban and weapons restrictions (legislation) but that hasn't stopped the high volume of homicides in Chicago. Apparently, the death penalty didn't seem to scare people away from committing murder in Illinois either. Please humor us with your great ideas for legislation. Hint: locking up petty reefer peddlers hasn't been effective.

Jim Coughlin

Posted: Saturday, August 6th, 2011 1:15 AM

We're currently paying $140 a day for each inmate in Cook County jail. Rehab and counseling is a more cost effective option.

john murtagh from oak park

Posted: Saturday, August 6th, 2011 12:04 AM

Hard to see how this is not a valid discussion item. Open discussion of controversial subjects is a hallmark of the village.

Steven

Posted: Friday, August 5th, 2011 8:40 PM

Please Brendan. If you really think Pot is that dangerous you're severely misinformed. It's less harmful than alcohol which I'm sure you have plenty of lying around the house.

brendan

Posted: Friday, August 5th, 2011 7:31 PM

last time this guy gets my vote. 1 ounce of pot is plenty for small time distribution. his time should be spent on supporting legislation to punish criminals and make our neighborhoods safe. shame on you lashawn.

Wednesday Journal News Blog

Water line break shuts off water service for part of Oak Park Avenue

Friday, May 18th 2012 11:07 AM

Updated 12:12 p.m.
Crews have patched the leak in the water main and water service has been restored along Oak Park Ave.

(No Comments) Read More...

Black College Night at OPRF

Thursday, May 17th 2012 02:55 PM

On Wednesday, May 30, from 7-8:30 p.m., Oak Park River Forest High School's Parent Connection will host its first Black College Night, which will highlight the opportunities available for our students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

(28 Comments) Read More...

Yova coffee shop space for sale

Wednesday, May 16th 2012 02:53 PM

The space housing Yova Gourmet Coffee & Treats in the South Town Business District is for sale.

(1 Comment) Read More...

What We're Reading