By Mark Clements, 1/25/2013, news, politics

With days remaining in the month of January, 2013 Chicago is on a pace to break a record once again on murders. Chicago this year has already recorded 45 murders. Chicago is smaller then Texas, California, and New York but leads them all when it comes to violent crime. Most believe that sentencing people to prison for long terms will deter criminal behavior. These theories have proven to be devastating when it has come to the Illinois State budget. Billions of taxpayer dollars are pumped into a failed system that offers no rehabilitative services or meaningful outreach when inmates are released from prison.

Illinois lawmaker’s systematic way of doing things must end like legislation in Springfield getting a stamp approval by Illinois lawmakers that have not even taken the time to read the legislation before voting to approve it. Our kids are in the midst of war zone; however, the only approach by lawmakers has been to implement laws upon laws and to enhance sentencing guidelines. Our kids are dying while lawmakers approach is to allow the killings and incarcerate.

Allow the killings to incarcerate is what has been allowed openly in many communities across Chicago. Today Chicago Police admit that over 70 percent of the murder's that have occurred, they have not been able to make arrest. Those in Chicago know, but for those outside Chicago if you were to visit the downtown area you will notice Chicago Police Officers walking the streets and in clear vision. This is not true in the poor communities where these crimes are occurring and it almost give's one the notion that it is okay to kill. While the police are watching over the rich the poor is suffering. How police respond to crime in the poorest communities reflect on ending crime in the City. Chicago criminal justice system is a money making machine that needs to be exposed for what its' worth.

Forty-five murders in the heart of the winter season in Chicago equals to a rough and difficult summer ahead for the youth that has to play, sleep, and eat in communities that are warzones.

Mark A. Clements, is a Chicago Police Torture victim who spent 28 years inside Illinois prison for a crime that he did not commit. He serves today as Administrator over the Campaign to End the Death Penalty and Jail Jon Burge Coalition.