Speaker Welch Supports Public Safety Package, Commits to Funding Proposal

 

Springfield, IL – House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch supported a package of public safety proposals this week, aimed at supporting law enforcement, stopping carjacking, boosting mental health support, and other public safety needs.

"We must be smart on crime, and that's exactly the approach taken by House Democrats in this comprehensive public safety package," said Speaker Welch. "After months of negotiation between stakeholders from across the state, we have compiled a final product that will keep our communities safer while also offering law enforcement and crime victims the support they need."

Speaker Welch supported a number of public safety items this week, including:

  • House Bill 1095, which helps victims and witnesses of violent crime come forward and receive access to financial assistance for relocation, while working to create a new Co-Responder Pilot Program aimed at connecting social services with violence survivors;

  • House Bill 1100, which addresses carjacking by targeting ringleaders who coerce juveniles to carjack, investing in youth-intervention programs and expanding financial compensation for victims;

  • House Bill 1103, which paves the way for law enforcement beyond Cook County to expand highway camera use and utilize footage in investigations of expressway shootings and other crimes, as well creates a pilot incentive program for residents who share residential security footage that assists in a criminal conviction;

  • House Bill 1097, which helps give prosecutors the tools they need to target organized crime, including a two year extension of the state's RICO Law;

  • House Bill 1568, which invests in recruiting police officer candidates, partners with higher education and updates officer benefits – including deferred retirement options for Illinois State Police and sheriff's employees – to make the position more attractive;

  • House Bill 1321, which creates a fund and grant program to provide behavioral health services to first responders, and

  • House Bill 1571, which allows the DHS the flexibility to design an off-hours child care program that meets the needs of first responders and off-hours workers.

In addition to supporting these proposals, Speaker Welch is also proposing an additional $236 million to properly fund these efforts.

  • $124M will go to support local police and reduce violent crime.

    • This includes funding for body cameras, automatic license plate readers, ballistics testing and forensics, and non-lethal equipment to subdue suspects with less risk to life.

    • This includes funding for mental health screenings for local police departments, funding for a co-responder pilot program, and law enforcement retention grants.

  • $48M is allotted to prevent carjacking with funding for local safety councils, youth summer jobs programs, YouthBuild Illinois, Teen REACH, Youth Redeploy Illinois, Parents Too Soon, and Comprehensive Communty-Based Youth Services.

  • $12M to fund a program for neighbors to actively assist in reporting crime. This will include money for witness protection, a tip line and a pilot program to use ring cameras to help solve crime.

  • $50M will go towards domestic violence prevention.

  • $2M will go towards expanding trauma recovery centers.

This funding is in addition to the public safety resources in the Governor's budget proposal, including $250 million for the Reimagine Public Safety Act.

"The safety concerns in communities across our state are real, and it is our duty as lawmakers to put our words into action," said Speaker Welch. "This is a comprehensive approach that was informed by community input and advocacy, and it's incredibly important House Democrats also supply the necessary funding and resources for it to work."

 
Andrea Garcia