Frankfort Mayor Addresses Violence At Capitol, House Bill 3653, COVID-19 And Election Objections

Frankfort IL

22 January, 2021

4:52 PM

Description

By Jon DePaolis, the Richard Free Press: FRANKFORT, Ill. — January is not yet over, but challenges have arisen both nationally and locally in just the first few weeks of 2021. Frankfort Mayor Jim Holland touched on some of those issues Tuesday, Jan. 19, during the Village of Frankfort Board of Trustees meeting. He commented on: the "unusual inauguration" set to take place in Washington, D.C. the following day; state lawmakers passing far-reaching bills; the continued struggles to combat COVID-19; and challenges to election petitions in Frankfort. "Each day, we see more upsetting video evidence of the nature of the recent attack on our nation's Capitol," Holland said. "People died. People were injured. Property was damaged. And the safety of our elected officials was threatened. "I condemn these acts of violence, and I believe that our government will be successful in bring the perpetrators to justice. "I also applaud our [former] Vice President [Mike Pence], congressmen and women, and senators who for as upsetting as that situation was to them decided to return to work immediately and stay at work late into the night to complete their duties." Holland also commented on the recently passed Illinois House Bill 3653. "Last week, our state legislators finally got back to work after taking almost the entire year off," he said. "During the six-day session, they introduced and then passed several far-reaching bills, including a criminal justice and police reform bill. This 700-page bill deserved robust discussion between sponsors and police and prosecutor organizations. But instead, it was passed without most legislators even having the opportunity to read it. "Fortunately, most of the police reforms are already practiced in the Frankfort Police Department. I'm sure that some of our officers do have concerns about some of the provisions of the bill. As we learn more about exactly what the bill means, I know our officers will adapt, and they will continue to treat all people fairly as they protect the people and property of Frankfort." The mayor also said people are anxiously awaiting the COVID-19 vaccine in Illinois. But he said he knows of people who spend their winters in Florida who have already received it. "In Illinois, we have weeks or even months to go before anyone in the general public will be eligible for vaccinations," Holland said. "Why is there such a difference in the administration of the vaccine?" Holland also discussed the objections that were filed against two candidates for Village trustee in the April 6 Consolidated Election. "For the first time in 30 years that I have been engaged in Village of Frankfort elections, we have convened a Municipal Officers Electoral Board to decide upon the objections to nominations made for the office of Village trustee," he said. "Because an objection has been filed, I and two of the trustees will decide whether a candidate for trustee will appear on the April ballot or not. A serious and unusual matter, indeed." [Editor's Note: The electoral board met on Jan. 20, but no action was taken as the two candidates withdrew as a result of the objections being filed.] In his closing remarks on Jan. 19, Holland — who will not seek re-election this April — said he knows the people of Frankfort will meet the challenges before them. "Rioters will be brought to justice," he said. "[On Jan. 20], there will be a new president. Unintended consequences of justice reform laws that were not properly vetted will be corrected. With a little luck, there will be adequate vaccinations by sometime this summer to end this pandemic. Members of the Municipal Officers Electoral Board will use our good judgment to comply with the law on deciding whether a resident's name will appear on the ballot or not. Here in Frankfort, your government continues unabated by election challenges, a pandemic disaster or poor state legislator processes. "And I can assure you that there will be a new mayor of Frankfort this spring, and that transition will be smooth and amicable." Get 30% off for 1 year Richard Free Press is a one-stop destination for the news that most affects you, the southwest suburban resident. Be an informed citizen of the town you live in and love.