Criminal Justice Reform and Gun Safety
As a Member representing a district disproportionately affected by gun violence, I consider gun violence a true public health issue for my constituents. Congress must find sensible solutions to improve public safety including work to establish common-sense background checks, make it more difficult for guns to get in the hands of youth, ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, as well as crack down on gun trafficking.
Criminal justice reform is long overdue. We have seen punitive policies disproportionally send people of color and low-income individuals into the prison system. For too long we have tolerated a school-to-prison pipeline.
I am a proud cosponsor of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021. No single bill can end pervasive racism in law enforcement, but the Justice in Policing Act is a necessary step toward much-needed reform. Beyond this legislation, I remain committed to transformative measures to improve our criminal justice system so that it is fair and effective as I worked to do in the Illinois State Senate and as Cook County Commissioner.
More on Criminal Justice Reform and Gun Safety
García, Durbin Call On CTA to Improve Transit Safety for Employees and Passengers
The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provided significant federal funds for CTA
García, Durbin Call On CTA to Improve Transit Safety for Employees and Passengers
The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
provided significant federal funds for CTA
Rep. García Votes to Decriminalize Marijuana and Reinvest in Communities Harmed by the War on Drugs
Washington, DC — Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04) issued the following statement after voting for H.R. 3617, the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act:
Congressman García, Espaillat, Correa Statement on Repealing Title 42
"This heartless policy, spearheaded by the Trump administration, must be repealed – full stop"
Today, Representatives Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), and Jose Luis Correa (CA-46) released the following statement on revoking Title 42:
"These investments support underserved areas and make a real difference in the lives of the working families I represent"
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04) voted to fund $10,608,000 for community funding projects for Illinois' 4th Congressional District. This funding, included in the government funding package approved by the House of Representatives, directly addresses pressing needs in the Chicagoland area.
Congressman García's Statement on the Early Release of Laquan McDonald's Killer
WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04) issued the following statement on the early release of former Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke, convicted for killing Laquan McDonald:
"There can never be justice for Laquan McDonald, but Jason Van Dyke's early release negates even the small measure of accountability that his conviction provided.
Congressman García's Statement on the Developments in the Investigation of the Shooting that Killed Melissa Ortega
CHICAGO, IL — Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García (IL- 04), issued the following statement about the apprehension of two suspects linked to the tragic killing of eight-year-old Melissa Ortega:
García, Quigley, Jayapal and Advocates Call for Passage of
PROTECT Immigration Act
Congressman García's Statement on Kyle Rittenhouse's Acquittal
WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04) issued the following statement after Kyle Rittenhouse, who fatally shot two men and wounded another amidst protests last summer, was acquitted on all counts:
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), led by Racial Justice Taskforce Chair Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04) and CHC Chair Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-36) sent a letter to congressional police reform negotiators Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tim Scott (R-SC), and Rep. Karen Bass (CA-37) to share proposed policing reforms that would be particularly impactful to Latino communities.