Sangamon Sun

Illinois State Representative Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) has introduced House Bill 4142 in response to increasing tensions and incidents involving law enforcement officers and bystanders. Keicher, who was elected to the Illinois State House in 2018 representing the 70th District, aims to address what he describes as a growing trend of harassment and interference directed at police officers performing their duties.

Keicher was joined by House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) and Assistant Minority Leader C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville) in calling for calm amid recent incidents, including those targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The group highlighted concerns about officers being confronted during routine actions such as traffic stops or serving warrants.

“Whether a simple traffic stop or serving a warrant, whether it’s ICE or local police, we’ve seen officers mobbed, leading to situations that spiral into more aggressive, but entirely avoidable outcomes,” said Keicher. “We must bring down the temperature, and leaders like our Governor and the Mayor of Chicago need to stop the use of aggressive rhetoric that is putting lives at risk. Our law enforcement officers all put on the uniform with the intent to protect and serve.”

Keicher cited a recent incident reported by CWBChicago where a Chicago “peacekeeper” allegedly interfered with police officers attempting to apprehend a suspect from a stolen vehicle.

House Bill 4142 proposes that when an officer is performing lawful duties, they may instruct bystanders not to approach within 14 feet if there is reasonable belief that someone’s presence could interfere. After being warned, knowingly violating this instruction would be considered unlawful if done with intent to interrupt or harass an officer or threaten physical harm. Such violations would be classified as Class A misdemeanors.

“We need to bring down the tension and remember that our law enforcement officers are public servants simply trying to perform their duty and keep us safe,” said Keicher. “It is not their job to decide if a law they are tasked with enforcing is right or wrong, and we, as a society, must stop targeting them for doing their duty.”

Keicher replaced former state representative Robert W. Pritchard when he was elected in 2018.