Peoria Pundit

I ate lunch with Peoria attorney and would-be Peoria County State’s Attorney Darin LaHood the other day. We met for lunch at Kelleher’s. He had the turkey club, I had the corned beef sandwich. I guess I’m more in touch with my Irish side than he is, especially since he’s of Lebanese ancestry.

(FULL DISCLOSURE: Lunch was his treat, a fact that would be considered highly unethical were I working for a newspaper. But since I reveal my biases out in the open, I don’t have to pretend that I’m not backing the guy, whether or not he bought me lunch at a bar).

We chatted about Christmas, kids (his kids, my nieces and nephews), blogging and the Internet.

Oh, yeah … we also discussed crime. And politics. I’ll refrain from revealing some of the observations he made about other politicians of both parties, and stick to the race in which he is a candidate: Peoiria County State’s Attorney.

It’s no secret to long-time readers that I’m somewhat disenchanted with current Peoria County SA Kevin Lyons. I’ve come to the conclusion that Lyons isn’t the uncaring, unconcerned bureaucrat I’ve accused him of being in the past, and thus I’ve toned down my rhetoric a bit. So, you probably won’t be seeing the phrase “Catch-And-Release Kevin Lyons” on Peoria Pundit. But I still think Lyons is not doing a particularly good job and that it’s time for a change.

Not, coincidentally, that’s what LaHood said throughout our lunch: It’s time for new ideas in the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s office. And after being in office 20 years, Mr. Lyons has run out of new ideas, LaHood says.

Here’s one idea: LaHood wants to appoint specific assistant Assistant SAs to work with neighborhood leaders in Peoria, much like the Peoria Police officers who are assigned to specific neighborhoods in the city. These officers get to know the good guys, the bad guys and the trouble spots that need special attention.

Another idea: Ending the practice of issuing a notice to appear to people with a ton of warrants, or those with a history of causing “quality of life” issues in neighborhoods. Obviously, he and I have spoken to some of the same police officers. The ones I chat with about the issue say they are frustrated with arresting people and seeing tham back on the streets before their shifts are over.

And yet another idea: Less plea-bargaining. LaHood is under no illusion plea bargaining is going to go away. The courts would grind to a halt without it. I told him I just didn’t see the advantage to the law-abiding when repeat knuckleheads are allowed to plead out without any jail time (which is another complaint I hear from officers). He said he wouldn’t make deals with violent offenders, but perhaps give them the opportunity to enter blind guilty please, with no expectation regarding their sentence.

And here is yet another new idea: The state’s attorney ought to behave like a law enforcement official, and treat other law enforcement professionals like professionals. This includes treating police officers like partners, not subordinates. And I would suggest that one aspect of partnering with the police is to not blame them whenever the state’s attorney’s office is criticized.

A big problem, LaHood says, is that people who live a criminal lifestyle know all the players — prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges — and they know how the system works in Peoria County and they play the system to avoid or lessen their jail time. The only people who are afraid of going into court or normally law-abiding people charged with minor crimes or traffic violations.

And of course, LaHood says he’ll meet with Mayor Jim Ardis’ Crime Task Force, something Lyons derided as a waste of time.

I hear very little good spoken about Lyons, except from his more ardent supporters (some of whom post articles and comments here at Peoria Pundit). I have to think that Lyons is worried, but LaHood says he’s running like he’s the underdog. I can understand that, since Lyons can talk a good game. Lyons also enjoys the support of former State Senator/Peoria County Sheriff George Shadid. But then LaHood has something of a resume himself, being a former federal and county prosecutor, as well as the son of retiring U.S. Congressman Ray LaHood, which can’t hurt in politically and electorally.

LaHood asked me a ton of questions about this blog, including how many visitors I get, and what other bloggers are doing what I and C.J. Summers are doing.

LaHood has now met with myself, C.J. (who had a really long and informative piece) and Brad Carter. I think LaHood gets citizen journalism, or at least recognizes it can have an impact in an election. He certainly gets it more than his father does, but then, my Dad doesn’t get blogging either.