THE ILLINOIS HOUSE IS ADVANCING A NUMBER OF PUBLIC SAFETY BILLS. 

THE MEASURES HIT ON VARIOUS ISSUES INCLUDING NEW WAYS TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN POLICE OFFICERS. THERE’S ALSO LEGISLATION CREATING A CO-RESPONDER PILOT PROGRAM IN PEORIA, SPRINGFIELD, WAUKEGAN AND EAST SAINT LOUIS SAYS REPRESENTATIVE JEHAN GORDON-BOOTH.

HOUSE MINORITY LEADER JIM DURKIN ARGUED THAT THIS IS A LAST-MINUTE ATTEMPT BY THE DEMOCRATS, WHO PASSED CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMS LAST YEAR, TO ADDRESS RISING CRIME IN ILLINOIS.

SIMILAR LEGISLATION HAS BEEN INTRODUCED IN THE SENATE. THE LEGISLATURE IS SCHEDULED TO ADJOURN FRIDAY.