State’s Top Republican Proposes Revamp Of Illinois Prisoner Review Board

House Republican leader Jim Durkin is calling for an overhaul of the state Prisoner Review Board.  He says the panel must put the needs of crime victims before that of inmates and parolees.  Durkin is pushing for five members of the board to have law enforcement or prosecution experience, and a higher threshold for granting parole to those convicted of murder.  He also wants victims to have a stronger voice at board hearings.