CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn issued the following statement on the first meeting of the Joint Criminal Justice Reform Committee:
"I salute Representative Zalewski and the Joint Criminal Justice Reform Committee as they convene for their first meeting this afternoon.
"Violence knows no political affiliation, and this bipartisan group is coming together to identify reforms that will strengthen our criminal justice system and our state's public safety.
"As I've made clear, it is necessary to take a comprehensive approach to public safety that includes stronger gun laws such as those included in the Public Safety Act, smarter sentencing reforms and greater investments in proven re-entry and diversion programs as I proposed in this year's budget.
"I look forward to hearing the issue frankly discussed in these hearings, and I am eager to work with the members to make our state and our communities safer for all."
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