Illinois Republicans propose overhaul for Gov. Pritzker’s ‘anti-victim’ parole board after stabbing

By JOHN O’CONNOR
AP Political Writer

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois Senate’s minority leader proposed legislation Tuesday to overhaul the Democrat’s Prisoner Review Board, after it released a convicted domestic abuser who then attacked a pregnant Chicago woman with a knife and fatally stabbed her 11-year-old son. Republican Leader John Curran criticized Gov. J.B. Pritzker and said he will introduce legislation that includes requirements for appointees to have 20 years’ criminal justice experience as a prosecutor, defense attorney, probation officer or judge. Pritzker has acknowledged the parole board didn’t sufficiently consider evidence in releasing 37-year-old Crosetti Brand on March 12. Curran’s legislation would also require advance notice to victims of the board’s decision to release perpetrators.