Yednock-Sponsored Bill to Protect Probation Officers Signed Into Law

OTTAWA, Ill. – Fighting to ensure all workers have proper resources and benefits, state Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, sponsored a bill to add probation officers to the Line of Duty Compensation Act that was recently signed into law.

“Probation officers deal with an increased risk of danger in their job, especially when offenders exhibit violent tendencies,” said Yednock. “Probation officers put their lives on the line every day to help incarcerated people enter back into society and protect communities, while their families wait at home hoping for their safe return. These families deserve some sort of peace if their loved one is to die in the line of duty.”

Senate Bill 1681, sponsored by Yednock, adds probation officers to the Line of Duty Compensation Act. The Line of Duty Compensation Act provides death benefits to families or spouses when individuals covered under the Act die in the line of duty. Individuals also covered under this act are firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and armed forces members. The bill passed out of the Senate and House unanimously before being signed by Gov. Pritzker.

“I am excited to see this bill signed into law and am happy to know that the families and spouses of probation officers will receive proper compensation if their loved one dies in the line of duty.” said Yednock. “I will continue working to ensure our law enforcement officers receive the benefits they deserve for the important work they do.”