Kendall County Times

Veteran state Sen. Jim Oberweis (R-Sugar Grove) is hoping what he clearly sees as the common-sense approach will rule the day when it comes to the growing debate about policing.

“Defunding and dismantling police departments is a really bad idea that even most Democrats don’t support,” Oberweis told the Kendall County Times. “I stand opposed to defunding police departments.”

The movement to dissolve police departments across the country appears to be growing by the day in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on Memorial Day, sparking protests and violence across the country. Minneapolis City Council members were among the first to broach the possibility of permanently doing away with their city's police department, and the idea quickly gained the support of U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota) and the leaders of the Chicago Public Schools.

With the burning issue now sweeping the country, Oberweis, who is running against incumbent U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Naperville) in the 14th Congressional District, wonders how his opponent can justify being as reticent as she has been on the subject.

“I think it is time for Rep. Underwood to tell us where she stands on this issue,” he said. “Rep. Underwood continues her pattern of silence when it comes to the radical ideas of the far left. Rooting out racism in our society is something we all should support, but we must also be careful not to let emotions lead to enacting bad ideas.”

Oberweis said he thinks Underwood owes it to voters to let them know where she stands on Omar’s words.

“Underwood needs to tell her constituents where she stands,” he said. “It is really simple, does Rep. Underwood stand with the socialist squad in support of defunding the police or does she stand with the majority of her constituents? Her silence on this is baffling.”