State Rep. Sheehan Sponsors Package Of Legislation To Improve Public Safety

HOMER GLEN, IL — State Representative Patrick Sheehan, who himself is an active law enforcement office, has announced a package of legislation he has filed in Springfield aimed at improving public safety in Illinois, according to a news release from his office.

“Serving as both an active law enforcement officer for a southwest suburban police department, and as a state representative, I can see firsthand some of the changes we need in Illinois to improve public safety,” Sheehan said in a release. “Protecting our officers’ safety, addressing recruitment challenges, and providing additional mental health support for officers are all top priorities for me as we begin the spring session of the Illinois General Assembly.”

Among the legislative proposals sponsored by Representative Sheehan this Spring to improve public safety:

• Protecting officer safety by creating First Responder Buffer Law to prevent interference, threats, or harassment. After a verbal warning, individuals who knowingly enter or remain within 25 feet to impede or harass first responders may face arrest and criminal charges. (HB 5004) This bill was filed with the clerk on Feb. 4.
• Improving law enforcement recruitment and retention by increasing the pool of eligible candidates for open law enforcement positions (HB 5005) and increasing the retirement age maximum for Secretary of State Investigators, as has already been done for Capitol Police (HB 5006).
• Providing additional mental health support for officers through an additional bereavement benefit to officers exposed to tragedy or death on the job (HB 4715).

According to a news release, additional public safety legislation sponsored by Representative Sheehan aims to prohibit street racing (HB 5008), ensuring additional safety equipment be provided to law enforcement (HB 5010) and increasing targeted funding to the Motor Vehicle Theft Fund (HB 5012).

According to the Illinois General Assembly website, all of the above bills were filed with the clerk on Feb. 4 in the House.