SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mary Edly-Allen led an initiative through the Senate on Wednesday to create a new, collaborative public safety task force dedicated to collecting and presenting accurate data on crime in the state.

“In order to effectively deploy law enforcement and help respond to the needs of communities across Lake County, our state’s crime data software system needs a major update,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “This initiative was brought to me by Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart, and is a public safety win for both residents and law enforcement. By bringing academics and experts together to collaborate on this issue, we will see real change in our community’s safety.”

House Bill 2323 would create the Uniform Statewide Crime Statistics Task Force. The task force would meet at least quarterly to assist the Illinois State Police in the development and implementation of an integrated software system for gathering and publishing crime data from all law enforcement agencies throughout the state.

The task force will compile a final report that includes recommendations on the development of the integrated software system, the cost of implementation and maintenance, and protocols on accessing and updating the statistics.

The Uniform Statewide Crime Statistics Task Force would include members from the Illinois State Police, firearm and domestic violence prevention groups, retailers, public health experts and numerous agencies and professionals in the public safety sector.

“For too long we have relied on a polarized media culture and out-of-date statistics when discussing crime trends. This proposed task force brings us one step closer to real-time crime statistics,” said Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart. “We will assist law enforcement and those involved in crime prevention to increase public safety, improve victim services and develop effective crime prevention strategies.”

“This legislation will ensure we have accurate, timely data that will help all law enforcement agencies optimally allocate resources and evaluate the efficacy of current practices,” said State Representative Daniel Didech (D-Buffalo Grove). “I am grateful for State's Attorney Eric Rinehart's leadership on this issue and his commitment to improving public safety in Lake County and throughout Illinois.”

House Bill 2323 passed the Senate on Wednesday.