CHICAGO – State Rep. Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar, D-Chicago, issued the following statement in response to public safety concerns over the potential reduction of police officers in the field regarding the recently implemented city vaccine reporting mandate:

“Public safety has been a top priority since I entered office, not only as a legislator but as a community member, parent, and family member of a police officer. The Chicago Police Department is already facing a shortage of resources and personnel, especially with the high number of officers retiring within the last few months. If there are fewer police officers on the street, we could see an increase in crime that will place even greater pressure on the tense and stressful situations our officers manage every day;

“I will continue to advocate for the safety of our communities and continue to advocate that all residents be vaccinated to protect themselves and their loved ones.”

CHICAGO – Measures to improve compensation for victims of crime and strengthen and enhance the SAFE-T Act, Illinois’ comprehensive criminal justice reforms passed earlier this year, championed by state Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, were recently signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

“Although we made much needed progress with the passage of the SAFE-T Act to strengthen police accountability and devote more resources to fighting violent crime, we still have a lot of work to do before Illinois sees the equality and fairness that we so desperately need,” Slaughter said. “We must keep pressing forward in order to build an equitable, modern and more responsive public safety system.”

Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently signed into law two bills sponsored by Slaughter that build upon the SAFE-T Act, also known as Public Act 101-0652. House Bill 3443 aligns the definition of a mental health crisis with standards from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). This will help police departments meet requirements for monthly reports filed with the Illinois State Police (ISP) containing their responses to people experiencing a mental health crisis. House Bill 3443 also strengthens timelines for implementing the SAFE-T Act. House Bill 3295 increases potential compensation for victims of violent crime by over 66% from $27,000 to $45,000 and allows more time for victims to successfully complete applications for compensation.

“Illinois is experiencing a new day for equity and for justice by adopting a smart on crime approach to public safety and turning the page on the failed policies of the past that kept families less safe,” Slaughter said. “ I will continue to push for improvements to our justice system so that every family can feel safe in their community.”

CHICAGO – State Rep. Yehiel “Mark” Kalish, D-Chicago, continued his efforts to pass lifesaving, commonsense gun reforms at the first meeting of the newly created bipartisan Firearm Public Awareness Task Force. 

“There are real, tangible, commonsense steps that we can take to protect our and families from gun violence that has impacted so many communities in Illinois and across the nation,” Kalish said. “This task force will help us put everything on the table and build consensus for lifesaving reforms that will keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals.”

Kalish was appointed last month to the bipartisan Firearm Public Awareness Task Force comprised of 10 members of the House Democratic Caucus and 10 members of the House Republican Caucus. The task force will review gun violence data throughout the state and submit a report with gun safety recommendations to the General Assembly. Experts from various non-profits, government agencies, academia and families affected by gun violence provided testimony to legislators during the meeting.

Over the coming months, the task force will continue to meet to outline reforms aimed at protecting communities in Illinois from senseless gun violence.

AURORA, Ill. – Continuing her commitment to listen to the concerns of her constituents, state Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, recently held a public safety roundtable discussion alongside Aurora Police Department Commander Keith Cross to talk about issues of safety in the community.

“I am proud of the work that we did in Springfield to address areas of concern in our communities, but there is always more work to be done,” said Hernandez. “I am grateful to the residents of my district who came out to this discussion with their questions and concerns. Police officers rely highly on feedback and tips from residents in addressing crime and road safety, so I am glad we were able to highlight the importance of being an active citizen in reporting suspicious behavior and utilizing the non-emergency phone lines.”

During her short time in the General Assembly, Hernandez has been a fierce advocate for improving public safety in Illinois. In addition to facilitating these community discussions in her district, Hernandez helped pass legislation to improve safety in schools, find feasible solutions for the state-wide opioid epidemic and was recently appointed to the House Firearm Public Awareness Task Force to give gun safety recommendations to the General Assembly.

“There are so many different ways that we can all work together to improve the safety of our communities, and one avenue of doing that is by continuing to foster these conversations with local law enforcement agencies,” said Hernandez. “I am grateful for any chance to hear feedback from my constituents, especially when it involves such important topics like these.”

For more information on Hernandez’s roundtable discussions, please contact her constituent services office at 630-270-1848, or email RepBarbaraHernandez@gmail.com.

RED BUD, Ill. – State Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steeleville, is backing a new law which will create an internship program for training new correctional officers as well as grow job opportunities for veterans entering the profession.

“Our correctional facilities need high quality workers to staff them, and our veterans need good jobs to help them build a new life once they have returned from duty,” Reitz said. “We are helping build skills for guards at our prisons and jails, including the correctional facility at Menard, as well as creating employment opportunities for the brave men and women who most deserve them.”

Reitz backed Senate Bill 2148, which establishes the Correctional Officer Intern Program to train new recruits to be correctional officers. The legislation also requires correctional officer and law enforcement training programs to give preference to people who have served in the U.S. military. It received strong bipartisan support and is now law.

“The veterans who have risked their lives to serve our country should have plenty of prospects for good careers when they get home,” Reitz said. “A steady job is the foundation of a stable life, and that opportunity is the least we can give them.”

AURORA, Ill. – To discuss public safety concerns with local residents, state Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, is hosting a roundtable discussion alongside Aurora Police Department Commander, Keith Cross on Tuesday, Oct. 1st, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the police station community room, located at 1200 E. Indian Trail Rd. in Aurora.

“Ensuring safety in our communities is my top priority, and I know the residents of my district feel similarly,” said Hernandez. “It is crucial that at the state level we are working alongside our local law enforcement agencies when considering new legislation to protect the public, because they are the ones who are on the front line every day.”

Hernandez and officers from the Aurora Police Department will be facilitating a discussion on various public safety concerns at both the state and local levels. Attendees will be able to bring forward questions about various laws and concerns they have. This discussion is the first of several meetings that Hernandez plans to host in the district, covering important topics such as state police funding, crime prevention, and back-to-school safety. This event is free and open to the public.

“I am grateful that we have committed law enforcement agencies in our communities who protect us every day, and I am hopeful that by bringing members of the community together we can find ways to increase safety in the 83rd districtand the entire state,” said Hernandez. “I encourage any residents of my district to come start this conversation with me.”

For more information, or to RSVP, please contact Hernandez’s constituent services office at 630-270-1848 or email RepBarbaraHernandez@gmail.com.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A new law backed by state Rep. John Connor, D-Lockport, will modernize the search for missing persons and ensure law enforcement professionals have all the up-to-date tools and databases available to help locate missing persons.

“As a local prosecutor, I saw firsthand how technology can help save lives, put criminals behind bars and make our community safer,” Connor said. “This legislation is about ensuring that when we search for missing people we pool our resources, and make the search national as soon as possible when the situation warrants. When lives are on the line, we need to ensure we are dedicating every available resource to bring missing persons home safely and swiftly.”

Connor passed House Bill 2708, which requires law enforcement agencies to share information regarding DNA testing in missing persons cases in the NamUS national database. This federally-funded database is free for law enforcement, and acts as a national clearinghouse for missing persons and unidentified bodies, so that any law enforcement, or family members, can provide information and search for information in the same place. The bill received bipartisan support and was signed into law last week.

“Finding people who have gone missing is difficult, but there are modern tools that will make that easier,” Connor said. “This legislation is about ensuring those tools are utilized. When it comes to saving lives and reuniting people with their families, we can’t afford to overlook any potential source of help.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As a part of her continued efforts to pass gun safety reforms, state Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, recently supported legislation to aid in the investigations of highway shootings and to promote overall safety on local expressways by increasing the number of cameras on Cook County highways.

“It is clear that more needs to be done to address senseless gun violence and promote gun safety in our local communities,” said Villa. “This legislation will give law enforcement the tools they need to help keep dangerous criminals off of our roadways, and investigate offenders that use firearms on roadways.”

Villa supported House Bill 331, which will allow local police departments, Sheriffs and the Illinois State Police to use images from expressway cameras to investigate firearm offenses and detect expressway hazards. The measure, which was recently signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, is named in honor of Tamara Clayton, who was killed by a shooting on I-57 in Cook County.  

“We have seen a sharp uptick in the number of expressway shootings in recent years. This measure is a stride in the right direction, taking a practical step to hold criminals that use firearms on our local expressways accountable,” continued Villa.  “I will continue working to pass commonsense gun safety reforms, prevent senseless gun violence and keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous criminals.”

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. – State Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, is sponsoring legislation requiring a study of traffic conditions following the death of a pedestrian.

“With the rise of distracted driving, we must ensure our roadways protect pedestrians,” Moylan said. “We must do everything we can to protect our pedestrians, including our elderly neighbors and our children walking to school.”

Moylan is sponsoring Senate Bill 1200, which would require the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to study the traffic flow on the intersections of state highways following a pedestrian fatality. IDOT would review how traffic flow, intersection design, traffic control devices or other improvements could have prevented the accident or reduced future risk. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, Illinois had a 19% increase in pedestrian road fatalities from 2017 to 2018.

“Just as drivers and passengers, pedestrians deserve safety and security traveling from point to point,” Moylan said. “We must design our infrastructure to serve everyone utilizing our roadways and pathways and allow everyone to arrive at their destination safe and sound.”