Senate bill would create commission to oversee four metro-east police departments

An Illinois Senate committee will consider a plan Wednesday to form a commission that would oversee four troubled police departments in the metro-east.
The legislation filed by Sen. James Clayborne, D-Belleville, would create the Metro East Police District Commission that would have oversight of the police departments in East St. Louis, Washington Park, Alorton and Brooklyn.
The commission would have authority to create regulations and standards for the departments, and it could apply for and spend money from the state or the federal government. It also would be funded in part by an extra $100 fine imposed on drunken-driving offenders in the four communities.
In addition, a related bill would allow the four communities to use Tax Increment Financing funds to pay for police officers.
The commission would be comprised of 14 appointed members and three ex-officio members.
Seven members would be appointed by the governor with approval by the Senate, four would be appointed by the East St. Louis mayor with approval by the City Council, and one each would be appointed by the village presidents of Washington Park, Alorton and Brooklyn, with the approval of their city councils.
The mayors themselves would be eligible to be the representatives from their cities.
The Illinois State Police director, the St. Clair County state's attorney and the director of the Southern Illinois Law Enforcement Commission would serve as the ex-officio members. They would be able to vote on matters only in the event of a tie vote.
The legislation, HB 1404, will be presented to the Senate's Executive Committee at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in room 212 of the Capitol.
St. Clair County State's Attorney Brendan Kelly, who has pushed for formation of the commission, said a number of law enforcement officials and community leaders are expected to testify in support of the measure.