Chambana Sun

Republicans in the Illinois House of Representatives have a plan called Reimagine Illinois to accomplish their vision of a state free of corruption, responsible with money, booming jobs and safe.

State Rep. Tom Bennett (R-Pontiac) is one of many Republican lawmakers in March who posted a video pushing for the Reimagine Illinois plan. The Pontiac lawmaker focused his video on public safety.

"We need to take steps to protect the public while respecting the rights of all Illinoisans," Bennett said in a YouTube video talking about the petition aimed at improving Illinois.

Bennett said there are four key ways to achieve what House Republicans hope to accomplish, which included making sure law enforcement officers are ready for the challenges of the career and doing their best to seek out and retain the best cops. Bennett, a supporter of the Second Amendment, also believes issues with the FOID card application process need to be addressed.

"Law-abiding Illinoisans should not have to run the risk of being in violation of the law just because a state agency is taking far too long to process their paperwork," Bennett said in the video. "Responsible gun owners shouldn't be left waiting at the mercy of a flawed system while criminals continue to flout the law."

Republicans also believe changes to the state's bail program need to be looked at. Bennett said it's one area that's seen many changes over the years, and Republican Party lawmakers want to know what kind of impact those changes have had on crime.

"We should not be releasing violent criminals back onto the streets," he said.

He said the state could reevaluate the public safety policies and take other steps to keep communities as safe as possible. Republicans believe every family across Illinois deserves to live in a violence-free neighborhood.

Those Republican Party lawmakers are encouraging residents who support their ideas to sign their Reimagine Illinois petition.