E-News Updates! Public Safety, Immigration, State Budget and more

On top of mind for the only suburban lawmaker to serve as an active law enforcement officer, State Representative Patrick Sheehan announced a package of legislation he has filed in Springfield aimed at improving public safety in Illinois.

"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," said Sheehan. "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)
• 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 (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).

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).

Video: Sheehan responds to Governor's Budget Address

State Representative Patrick Sheehan responded vis video to the Governor's proposed budget.

Major points of this budget:

- Largest budget in IL history

- Includes tax and fee hikes

- Prioritizes funding for non-citizen healthcare and "peacekeepers"

Illinois families are paying more and getting less with a governor more concerned with running for a president than making life better in Illinois.

Video: Sheehan calls out consequences of Democrats support of illegal immigration over crime victims

Thank you to Fox 32 Chicago for sharing this story.

"This is yet another tragic example of a fatality that should have never occurred but did because of the progressive policies allowed in Illinois. Illinois Democrats rewarded illegal immigrants in Illinois while washing their hands of the tragic consequences for law-abiding crime victims and their families. Families deserve justice," said Sheehan

Sheehan critical of bill to limit non-lethal force by law enforcement

State Representative Patrick Sheehan, who also serves as a southwest suburban police officer, is speaking out against a proposal by an Illinois Democrat to ban tear gas and pepper spray as tools of non-lethal force by law enforcement.

"This is yet another example of a radical Democrat stoking fear among the public and trying to take de-escalation tools away from law enforcement," said Sheehan. "When confronted with situations which threaten the safety of law enforcement officers or the public, non-lethal force can help prevent dangerous rioting and calm crowd violence."

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With income tax season upon us, get tips and resources about filing your taxes and the latest updates on this years tax filing process.

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