Fraternal Order Of Police Opposes Reform Bill

SPRINGFIELD, IL —The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) State Lodge released the results of a survey Tuesday in which respondents overwhelmingly opposed Illinois House Bill 3653, a lengthy criminal justice reform bill that passed the state House and Senate in January and awaits signing by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

According to a release from the FOP, 1,500 of its members, all of them active law enforcement, responded to the survey. As a result, the organization is strongly urging the governor to veto the bill.

"The survey results are no surprise because it's clear to anyone who reads the bill that law enforcement was not involved in drawing up its provisions," said Chris Southwood, Illinois FOP State Lodge president.

Southwood continued: "Illinois will be a much more inviting atmosphere for criminals and a much more dangerous place for law-abiding citizens if this bill becomes law."

According to WQAD.com, HB 3653 is a 764-page policy that includes 99 Articles. Some of its major provisions include: abolishing cash bail by Jan. 1, 2023, requiring all law enforcement to use body cameras by 2025, requiring all officers across the state to complete crises training and requiring officers to consider "the totality of circumstances" in all uses of force.

When the legislation passed, Pritzker said in a statement: "This criminal justice package carries with it the opportunity to shape our state into a lesson in true justice for the nation."

But according to the FOP survey, 99 percent of respondents said the legislation will embolden criminals, 97 percent said they feel physically or financially threatened by the provisions in the legislation and 83 percent anticipate law enforcement officers' ability to respond will be diminished as a result of the legislation.

Additionally, 88 percent of respondents believe the "no cash bail" provision will adversely impact crime victims in their jurisdictions.

Meanwhile, 66 percent of respondents said they are considering retirement or early retirement because of the legislation and 46 percent said they are actively looking to move out of state for other work.

From a political standpoint, 97 percent of respondents said the legislation will affect the way they, their families and friends will vote in future elections.

"The legislation prevents officers from taking immediate, potentially life-saving action in critical situations," Southwood said. "It's no cash bail provision makes it difficult to keep people locked up who may be a further threat to victims, and it places numerous mandates on police agencies with no funding source for local communities."

In addition to the survey results, the FOP said there was a petition with an estimated 120,000 signatures opposing the legislation ahead of its passage in January.