[Peace] Re: [Announce] Urbana City Council - Sept. 29

[Brian Dolinar]

This article appeared in the Daily Illini.
Its obviously geared toward students.

BD
New drug policy gives students second chance By: Crystal Kang Posted:
9/9/08The Urbana City Council passed a draft ordinance on Tuesday
night that
loosens the punishment on individuals found to be in possession of cannabis
and drug paraphernalia.

This amendment provides people in Urbana an opportunity to learn from their
mistakes by paying a lesser price - a fine ranging from $135 to $1,000 -
instead of receiving a drug conviction.

The ordinance allows students, after their first offense, to move on with
their lives without worrying about whether they will be able to get a job,
enter college or receive a valid driver's license, city attorney Ron O'Neal
said.

Instead of the Illinois State Police becoming directly involved when
criminals are caught for possession of a miniscule amount of illegal drugs,
the ordinance will allow Urbana police to handle these cases.

Assistant Chief of Police Patrick J. Connolly supported the idea that
allowing the local police to deal with the smaller drug-related issues lifts
a load off of the upper-echelon courts.

"We already know that these drugs are violations of the state law," said
Connolly.

Smaller offenses will be removed from the Urbana Circuit Court, Connolly
said, and it will prevent people from having records sent to the FBI.

"These low-level violations can be figured out by the lower courts,"
Connolly said.

O'Neal said this policy will help avoid not only racial discrimination when
it comes to degree of punishment but will equally benefit "people who
deserve a second chance."

Alderman Brandon Bowersox, Ward 4, also believed the ordinance would benefit
students and Urbana residents.

"That kind of policy will help everyone get a second chance and see the
progression of the law," Bowersox said.
------------------------------
(c) Copyright 2008 The Daily Illini

On Mon, Sep 22, 2008 at 3:42 PM, Ricky Baldwin <baldwinricky at yahoo.com>wrote:

> No problem, Brian -
>
> Thanks for keeping us informed.  Is there a mass showing/speakout planned?
> Do we have talking points to offer folks, or shou;ld we speak from the
> heart?
>
> This is a very important change, which I know fmr Councilmember and friend
> of us all Danielle C. championed for quite awhile.  Too many young people
> have their lives ruined before they get started good, with lunatic charges
> for what often amounts to harmless behavior ... this kind of criminal charge
> is not a realistic road to reform for a young person who may be struggling,
> unsure what to do with themselves yet, or who may simply want to take a
> different path once the heady days of youthful indiscretion and presumed
> immortality have passed.  It's nobody's business, but even if it were,
> criminal charges wouldn't help.
>
> Ricky
>
> "Only those who do nothing make no mistakes." - Peter Kropotkin
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: Brian Dolinar <briandolinar at gmail.com>
> To: AWARE peace <peace at lists.chambana.net>;
> announce at communitycourtwatch.org; stop at iresist.org
> Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 1:32:11 PM
> Subject: [Announce] Urbana City Council - Sept. 29
>
> Sorry for the confusion - Urbana City Council will be considering a
> decriminalization ordinance next week, Monday, Sept. 29. BD
> --
> Brian Dolinar, Ph.D.
> 303 W. Locust St.
> Urbana, IL 61801
> briandolinar at gmail.com
>
>


-- 
Brian Dolinar, Ph.D.
303 W. Locust St.
Urbana, IL 61801
briandolinar at gmail.com
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