Chicago Heights,IL-(ENEWSPF)- State Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, applauded the recent arrests of numerous high-ranking gang leaders as a result of an expanded anti-gang law sponsored by DeLuca.
“Making sure families can feel safe in their own neighborhoods is invaluable,” said DeLuca. “Criminal behavior cannot be tolerated, and law enforcement officials should have every tool available to remove dangerous individuals from our streets.”
Last week, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office filed state racketeering and conspiracy charges against 23 gang-related defendants and additional drug offenses against another 18 suspects. These charges were filed as a result of the Street Gang Racketeering and Corrupt Organizations Act, which DeLuca helped pass last year.
DeLuca’s law, Public Act 97-0686, aims to crack down on gangs by allowing local prosecutors to indict gang leaders on racketeering charges giving local police and state’s attorneys a powerful tool to combat gang violence and organized crime. Previously, racketeering charges were only available to federal prosecutors who used them to prosecute organized crime leaders who directed others to commit crimes such as murder, solicitation or selling narcotics.
“This law was designed to allow local police and prosecutors to attack street gangs at their core,” said DeLuca. “Our children deserve to grow up free from drugs, violent crime and gang activity. I applaud our local law enforcement officials for using this tool to successfully crack down on crime.”
For more information or state-related questions please contact DeLuca’s full-time constituent service office at 708-754-7900 or email [email protected]
