House and Senate Democrats announced a series of proposals Monday aimed at helping law enforcement – including mental health support, pay increases, retention incentives, retirement assistance, day care help and other benefits. “Law enforcement is an integral part of any long-term, comprehensive plan to tackle violence,” state Rep. Dave Vella, D-Rockford said. “It’s critically important that we listen to their concerns, and work to help address their challenges. These measures are part of an ongoing effort to give our law enforcement the tools and resources they need to safely and effectively do their job.”
“Every minute of every day, police men and women work to protect us. They catch criminals, break down their networks, and ensure justice is served against those who violate law and order in our neighborhoods,” state Sen. Rachelle Crowe, D-Glen Carbon, said. “Our brave members of law enforcement show up for us, and Illinois is continuing to show up for them by creating new grant opportunities, retaining quality officers, offering investigative resources and more.” Lawmakers were joined Monday by Jason Devino, Secretary of Trooper’s Lodge 41, Jim Kaitschuk, Executive Director of the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association, Ed Wojcicki, Executive Director of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police. Introduced bills include:
HB 1568 – Police Retention and Recruitment Package
– Creates deferred retirement option plans (DROP) for Illinois State Police officers under the State Employees Retirement System (SERS) and sheriff’s law enforcement employees under the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF).
– Lowers the retirement age for select Illinois State Police employees from 60 to 55 years of age.
HB 1571 – First Responder and Shift Worker Daycare Grants
– Creates a grant program for child care centers to provide after hours and nightly child care for the children of first responders and other workers working late shifts.
HB 1321 – Law Enforcement Mental Health
– Creates a fund and grant program to provide behavioral health services to first responders. Allows the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board to establish statewide minimum standards for mental health screenings for officers, based on statutory guidelines.
HB 3863 – Law Enforcement Funding
– Creates the Law Enforcement Recruitment and Retention Fund to be used by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board to provide grants to law enforcement agencies for hiring and retention of law enforcement officers.
