When the recently signed criminal justice reform bill first became a topic of discussion, a southern Illinois Sheriff began drafting some protections for his employees regarding qualified immunity. 

The ‘Back the Blue’ Ordinance was crafted by Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Bullard over 3 weeks of work. Although the qualified immunity portion was taken out of the new version of the bill that was signed this week, Sheriff Bullard said he wanted to be proactive for future changes. He says the original version of House bill 3653 eliminated built-in protection for law enforcement from frivolous lawsuits and would cause a mass exodus if it stayed like the original.

The Jefferson County Board passed the ordinance by a vote of 10-2. Those who voted against the bill cited that qualified immunity already exists but Sheriff Bullard responded that this ordinance is an insurance policy going forward.