Hurley Passes Bill to Support Families of Fallen Law Enforcement Officers

CHICAGO – As a part of her continued support of law enforcement and their families, state Rep. Fran Hurley, D-Chicago, sponsored legislation that would expand the eligibility to collect death benefits for the families of members of the Illinois Police Association.

“Police officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our families. We must do everything we can to support their families when they can no longer do so,” said Hurley. “In doing so, we honor and remember the bravery and selflessness of these heroes.”

House Bill 4163 would allow the money in the Illinois Police Association Fund to be used to provide death benefits and scholarships to families of members of the Illinois Police Association who died of natural causes. Current law only allows these funds to be allocated to families of police officers killed in the line of duty. By expanding the amount of families eligible for death benefits, House Bill 4163 further supports law enforcement and their families.

“The loss of a police officer is a loss to the entire community, but the family of the officer deals with that trauma forever,” said Hurley. “This bill provides an easy way to support these families during the hardest part of their lives. We can never forget the sacrifices made by our police.”

House Bill 4163 was placed on the consent calendar.