Sangamon Sun

House Republicans want Gov. J.B. Pritzker to veto a bill that makes changes to law enforcement agencies in the state.

Law enforcement officials are also staunchly opposed to the bill.

House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) said that while he agrees with some reform, the language in the bill was not properly vetted and he doesn’t feel it should be passed into law. 

“Because this deals with our greatest responsibility and that is protecting our citizens, which I believe will be compromised if this bill does go into law,” Durkin said, The Center Square reported.

Durkin also criticized provisions in the bill that would limit nonlethal police tactics and end cash bail.

Durkin said he believes the provisions would put violent suspects back on the streets when they should be in jail.

“This lack of clarity will also create uncertainty for officers, particularly given that an officer could be potentially decertified as a police officer based on that conduct,” Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) said, The Center Square reported.

Pritzker has said that while he supports many of the bill’s concepts, he will review the bill before he signs it.

“There are some of them that are hundreds of pages, we’re reviewing all the provisions in those pieces of legislation and I’ll be announcing decisions about them over the coming month or two,” Pritzker said, the Center Square reported.

Illinois Trooper Lodge #41 President Joe Moon said law enforcement agencies are worried about the bill.

“I’ve already had a handful of calls from young officers, one and two years on, that are very concerned about this legislation and its impact on their ability to do their job,” Moon said, The Center Square reported.

The 700-page bill passed both the Senate and House earlier this month during the final hours of the lame-duck session. Republicans did not support the bill.