Rockford Sun

On January 4, 61-year-old Vivian Morgan was tragically assaulted and later died from her injuries. Her attacker, Mijawon Johnson, had a long history of criminal activity but was repeatedly given short sentences and released back into the community. This case highlights the dangers of lenient policies towards crime and the impact they have on innocent people.

According to John M. Cabello, Assistant Minority Leader and State Representative for Illinois' 90th House District, Vivian's death is a stark reminder of the true cost of soft-on-crime policies in Illinois. Cabello, who has served as a police officer for nearly three decades, expressed his disgust at the details of the murder and emphasized that it represents a deeper issue that plagues the state.

"Mijawon Johnson is a textbook example of a career criminal with nothing to lose," said Cabello. Johnson's criminal history dates back to 2007 and includes drug offenses, aggravated battery to a peace officer, and armed robbery. Despite the increasing severity of his offenses, Johnson was continually given short sentences and released back into the community. Cabello believes that this leniency has emboldened him and others like him to commit crimes of incrementally worse severity.

Cabello, along with other Illinois House Republicans, is determined to address the state's out-of-control crime problem during the upcoming Spring Legislative Session. As part of the House GOP's Truth in Public Safety working group, Cabello is seeking to bring balance to how crime is treated in the state. The proposed solutions include removing limits on judicial discretion in the cash-less bail system, defining and classifying violent criminal behavior more clearly, and providing local police departments with the necessary resources to keep communities safe.

"We owe it to the memory of Vivian Morgan, and others affected by senseless violence, to put political talking points aside and pass laws that enhance public safety, deter crime, and rehabilitate criminals," Cabello stated. He emphasized that it should not take tragic stories like Vivian's to motivate action and that the goal should always be a safer Illinois where citizens can go about their daily lives without fear.

Cabello concluded by urging the Illinois General Assembly to prioritize the safety of its citizens and keep violent career criminals behind bars. He believes that until this is done, hideous violent murders like Vivian's will continue to occur.

In addition to his role as State Representative, Cabello is a three-decade veteran of a Rockford area police department, where he still serves as a police detective. His firsthand experience in law enforcement gives him unique insight into the challenges faced by communities in Illinois.

The tragic case of Vivian Morgan serves as a wake-up call for Illinois to reevaluate its approach to crime and ensure the safety of its citizens. It is a reminder that soft-on-crime policies have real and devastating consequences.