Bill has law enforcement feeling handcuffed
Darren Iozia, darren.iozia@myjournalcourier.com
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A police reform bill that passed 60-50 during the Illinois legislature’s last day of session Wednesday has law enforcement officers feeling like they’re the ones being handcuffed.
“I hope people realize that we’re doing the best job for our city but lawmakers are handcuffing us,” Beardstown Police Chief Martin Coad said. “It leaves the public in limbo.”
Illinois House Bill 3653 now is on its way to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office to be signed into law. While it initially included language that would have done away with law enforcement officers’ qualified immunity from job-related lawsuits, the Black Caucus leadership had it stripped from the bill. Proposed stricter use-of-force guidelines also were cut from the final bill.