Rep. Patrick Sheehan sponsors package of legislation to improve public safety

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).

State Representative Patrick Sheehan proudly represents the 37^th District in the Illinois House of Representatives and has nearly two decades of experience as an active police officer.