In his first year as a state senator, Bill Cunningham made cracking down on crime in Cook County one of his top priorities.

“Thanks to the nearly 20 years I spent in the Cook County Sheriff’s office, I have seen first-hand the lingering effects of crime in our communities,” Cunningham said. “While in Springfield, I will continue to push policies that keep criminals off the streets and away from our families.”

After speaking with constituents from local communities, Cunningham worked with the Cook County Sheriff’s office to create and sponsor three bills to combat local crime:

• Senate Bill 2154 cuts down on dangerous “gang funerals” by making it easier for police to impound vehicles driving recklessly in funeral processions of noted gang members.
• House Bill 3023 bans registered sex offenders from publicly accessible play areas in privately owned buildings, such as a McDonald’s PlayPlace. 
• House Bill 3388 creates a training program for law enforcement officials to better recognize and respond to dangerous dog fighting.

All three bills were signed into law last summer and have taken effect as of January 1.