Prairie State Wire

Illinois GOP Chairman Don Tracy was critical of Gov. J.B. Pritzker for avoiding questions about the makeup of the state’s Parole Review Board and increasing crime rates while at an Illinois State Police centennial anniversary event. 

“Before the event took place we asked just one question of the governor in a press release: 'On a day meant to remember the history and sacrifices of our state troopers, will Pritzker apologize to the family of Trooper Layton Davis?'" Tracy said in his weekly memo. "Of course, the governor declined to apologize or address the family in any way. The governor was also asked repeatedly at a press conference following the state police event if he stood by the decisions of his handpicked PRB to release multiple cop killers from prison early.” 

Tracy urged the governor "to take responsibility for his actions appeasing violent criminals while in office.”

“Pritzker refused to answer, falsely suggested the victims’ families supported the decisions and then responded in a fit of anger – resorting to name-calling and blaming Republicans for making it an issue (even though Democrats joined Republicans in voting against his nominees),” Tracy said. “Respectfully, governor, releasing violent cop killers from prison early is not a Republican or Democrat issue. It’s an issue of public safety and morality." 

When asked about questionable releases by the Parole Review Board, Pritzker blamed Republicans. 

"It’s easy to do what the Republicans do,” he replied. “They take the original crime that took place, often decades and decades ago. And they just talk about the headline of that crime and don’t talk about everything else that’s occurred.”

Indicted former Illinois house speaker Michael Madigan’s right hand man, former lobbyist Michael McClain, lobbied Pritzker and successfully placed a candidate on the Prison Review Board. The details were part of an indictment that implicated Prtizker in taking orders from Madigan on who to appoint to such boards.

A recent nominee from Pritzker to the Prison Review Board was denied by the Senate. The criticism comes amid a rare schism between the governor and Senate Democrats. The move came after Zelma King, convicted of a triple murder, was released from prison.