The Illinois Sheriffs' Association released a survey taken among Illinois law enforcement that shows a bill Governor Pritzker recently signed into law has had an overwhelming negative effect on their morale.
In the poll releases, nearly three out of four are considering retirement or early retirement because of the effects of HB 3653.
Over half said they are looking to move out of Illinois for other work.
Nearly 100% said the new law will embolden criminals.
Over 87% said they felt threatened with what the Democrats referred to as "police reform" legislation.
Governor Pritzker signed the bill passed by the Illinois Democrats on February 22, 2021. During his comments at the signing, he pointed to the need for police reform because of the state's "pandemic of system racism."
"All of this was fueled by the experiences of those who have lived with police brutality and discrimination in this terrible year in the middle of a brutal viral pandemic that hurt Black people and brown people disproportionately," Pritzker said. "These lawmakers fought to address the pandemic of systemic racism in the wake of national protests over the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery and Tamir Rice and Eric Garner and Quintonio LeGrier and Laquan McDonald and so many others.
"They transformed the pain into progress and in just a few moments into law. Not only that, but this bill was infused with the power of individuals most directly impacted survivors of domestic violence survivors of crime, and those who have been detained pretrial only because they are poor. We are a stronger state when we lift up these voices."
The state's law enforcement community apparently doesn't agree with the governor's sentiments.
