(Chicago) – Last fall, the Black Caucus laid out four pillars in their legislative plan to dismantle systemic racism in Illinois: (1) criminal justice reform, violence reduction and police accountability; (2) education and workforce development; (3) economic access, equity and opportunity; and (4) healthcare and human services.

All but the healthcare and human services pillar passed during the January lame duck session.

Included in the omnibus provisions were TASC Center for Health and Justice’s (CHJ) recommendations for amending the State’s deflection statute to reflect advancements in the field toward a broader public health and prevention approach.

“We support Illinois’ efforts to expand deflection in all its forms, and to do so in a way that will advance racial justice,” said CHJ Executive Director Jac Charlier.

More than 30 legislative hearings were held late last year to consider proposals for the legislative package. TASC President Pam Rodriguez presented testimony on October 13 focused on diversion and reentry programming, and Charlier testified on October 20 on alternatives to police responses and co-responder models.

Deflection provisions in the criminal justice legislative pillar, HB3653, championed by State Senator Elgie Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) and State Rep. Justin Slaughter (D-Chicago), expand the definition of “deflection,” also making non-law enforcement first responders—EMS and fire departments—eligible to lead deflection programs and apply for grant funds. The definition also acknowledges co-responder approaches. Deflection led by non-law enforcement first responders, and those involving approaches incorporating behavioral health professionals, social workers, or peers at the scene and in follow-up care, which have been utilized informally for years, have won wider attention and support in this legislation.

Further, the bill authorizes funding to build practitioner and public awareness of deflection and to provide training and technical assistance in support of implementation consistent with emerging best practices. Training requirements for funded programs will support an understanding among law enforcement and other first responders of substance use disorder, stigma, how to work with the community, and implementing racially equitable programming. And the measure prioritizes funding for programs in communities impacted by the War on Drugs, roiled by police-community relations challenges, and that have a disproportionate lack of access to mental health and drug treatment.

Finally, the language included several changes related to administration of the State’s deflection grant program, too. To facilitate existing data collection requirements, the bill requires funded programs to arrange lawful, statistical data sharing during the planning process through agreements with participating treatment providers. It also adds naloxone distribution and limited behavioral health treatment as eligible program expenses.

The legislation awaits action by the governor.

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(Photo by José de Azpiazu on Unsplash)