LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. – State Rep. Mary Edly-Allen, D-Libertyville, recently visited the Lake Zurich Police Department and participated in a ride-along with an officer on duty.

“Getting a first-hand look at what our officers do on a daily basis was incredibly eye-opening,” said Edly-Allen. “Spending some time with an officer on duty gave me a better understanding not only of the day-to-day challenges facing our first responders, but also the challenges facing members of our community when they rely on our officers for assistance. Building these relationships with those on the frontlines helps me be a better legislator and helps me best represent our community as we all work together for safer communities.”

Edly-Allen joined a Lake Zurich police officer on a recent ride-along. After the ride-along Edly-Allen took a tour of the police department and met with Chief of Police Steve Husak. Edly-Allen has been meeting regularly with law enforcement leaders and police chiefs to address their concerns and brainstorm ideas for state legislation to help local police departments.

LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. – State Rep. Mary Edly-Allen, D-Libertyville, continued her regular discussions with first responders by hosting a  roundtable discussion with local police chiefs.

“Continuously checking in with our first responders is imperative to know the issues facing our community. Our officers are on the front lines every day protecting us and we need to make sure that we are supporting them as best we can,” Edly-Allen said. “These regular discussions keep me up to date on what each of our departments are doing to innovate and improve our communities, and help me better understand what we can do at the state level to support their efforts back here at home.”

Representatives from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Vernon Hills, Wauconda, Buffalo Grove, Mundelein, Libertyville and Lake Forest police departments participated in the discussion. Issues discussed include the implementation of Illinois’ new recreational marijuana law and public education on the daily work of officers in the community.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Continuing her efforts to fight against the ongoing opioid crisis, state Rep. Mary Edly-Allen, D-Libertyville, met with local police chiefs to brainstorm ways she can help protect the community and keep families in the 51^st district safe.

“Our community, just as many other communities in the nation, has been plagued by the opioid crisis and prescription drug abuse,” said Edly-Allen. “It is our responsibility as public officials to work together to do everything we possibly can to protect our families and make sure those who are in need, receive the proper care.”

Edly-Allen met with Lake Zurich Police Chief Steve Husak and Vernon Hills Police Chief Pat Kreis on their recent visit to the State Capitol to discuss ways to protect residents against prescription drug abuse. One step Edly-Allen took earlier this year was introducing legislation to reduce the amount of unused prescription drugs in the community by requiring pharmacies offer free disposal kiosks for unused medications.

 “We really appreciate how supportive Representative Edly-Allen has been for local law enforcement,” said Lake Zurich Police Chief Steve Husak. “She is always up-front with us and if we ever need anything she is more than willing to help us provide great service to the community.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As part of her continued efforts to support first responders throughout Illinois, state Rep. Fran Hurley, D-Chicago, is sponsoring legislation to increase the amount of reimbursements to families for burial expenses for state police officers killed in the line of duty.

“Families of fallen officers should never have to worry about not having the money to provide their loved one with a proper burial,” said Hurley.  “Police officers are heroes who put their lives on the line each and every day to protect our communities. Officers killed in the line of duty deserve the utmost respect and dignity for making the ultimate sacrifice.”

Hurley is a chief co-sponsor of House Bill 2028, which will raise the maximum reimbursement paid by the Department of State Police (ISP) for funerals of officers killed in the line of duty, helping to alleviate the financial burden on their families. The measure has received support from the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police, the Illinois Association of Fire Protection Districts, the State Police Command Officers Association, the Illinois Sheriffs Association and the Illinois State Police; The bill passed out of the Illinois House with overwhelming bipartisan support, and has now moved to the Illinois Senate for consideration.

“This legislation will ensure that spouses and families of fallen police officers have one less thing to worry about during the incredibly difficult process of planning their loved ones’ funeral,” continued Hurley.  “Fallen police officers and their grieving families deserve support, so I am proud to have helped to pass this legislation in the House.”

For more information, contact Hurley’s constituent service office at 773-445-8128 or RepFranHurley@gmail.com.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Children and spouses of police officers who have died in the line of duty would be able to receive college scholarships and grants under legislation introduced in the House by state Rep. John Connor, D-Lockport.

“Police officers who put their lives on the line for the citizens of Illinois deserve to know that Illinois will take care of their families’ education costs if they are killed in the line of duty,” Connor said. “When an officer pays the ultimate price for our safety, we need to be there for their family.”

Connor is working to pass Senate Bill 1183, which uses money collected from the sale of police memorial license plates to fund college scholarships and grants for the children and spouses of officers killed in the line of duty. The bill in an initiative of the Police Memorial Committee, which since 1985 has collected funds for various recognitions of fallen officers, including a monument at the State Capitol bearing the name of officers killed while serving their communities. The bill received bipartisan support last month in the Senate.    

“There is no clearer way to pay respect to the service police officers do for our society than by ensuring their families are cared for,” Connor said. “No amount of money can fill the gap left by a fallen officer, but this is one way we can show our gratitude to the men and women who pay the ultimate price keeping our community safe.”

DES PLAINES, Ill – Being recognized for his continued service to the community, state Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, was recently awarded a Public Official of the Year 2018 honor by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP).

“I could not be more proud to be recognized by this organization,” Moylan said. “I would like to thank the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police for recognizing our continued work in the community and the efforts we have put forth to protect constituents.”

Moylan was recognized for his continued work to push legislation that supports and protects law enforcement. Last year, Moylan co-sponsored House Bill 375 which provides more mental health training to Illinois law enforcement officers. Moylan’s initiative will help better prepare officers to respond to certain mental health crises. House Bill 375 passed both houses unanimously and was signed into law last August.

“The brave men and women in uniform risk their lives every day to serve us,” Moylan said. “It is our job to protect our law enforcement officers so that they can continue to serve and protect our communities.”

For more information about the award or any legislation Moylan helped pass to protect the efforts of law enforcement, please contact Moylan’s full-time constituent office at 847-635-6821 or email StateRepMoylan@gmail.com.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In a unified effort with the Fraternal Order of Police Chicago Lodge No. 7, state Rep. Fran Hurley, D-Chicago, is leading the fight on legislation that would allow police lineups to be video recorded, eliminating the necessity for an independent administrator.

“Eyewitness evidence is extremely valuable to law enforcement investigations,” said Hurley.  “This measure will help to preserve crucial eyewitness evidence by cutting administrative red tape, allowing police lineups to happen much more quickly, possibly before the witness forgets important details or chooses to be uncooperative.”

Hurley is leading the fight for House Bill 2763, which would eliminate the requirement to have an independent administrator conduct police lineups, by allowing lineups to be video recorded.  Currently, officers administering a lineup are not to have knowledge of which individual in the lineup is the suspect.  In practice, this rule leads to long delays as the officer working the case has to wait for another officer to conduct the lineup. 

“Current practice has many unintended consequences including unnecessary delays,” continued Hurley.  “This legislation will increase transparency and help to decrease attacks on the validity and credibility of eyewitness evidence in the court room.”

For more information, contact Hurley’s constituent service office at 773-445-8128 or RepFranHurley@gmail.com.