We the citizens of Illinois are appalled that the Senate and House so eagerly passed House Bill 3653. This bill is absolutely unacceptable for the majority of Illinois citizens ESPECIALLY those who have always backed our police departments across the state. This bill puts every officer in every city across the state at risk to the point that they will no longer be able to assist as they will not be allowed to use any force to stop criminals from harming the general public without facing a possible felony for doing so. There is absolutely no common sense behind this bill, it does not promote positive change, it does not protect officers OR citizens from harm.

What you have created is a bill that clearly states every officer is guilty of any protection they may offer. We cannot change the world or one another when we are consistently passing blame instead of coming up with a way to stop the problems.

The standard in which the majority of us were raised is that when you do something wrong you must face the consequence of your actions. We were not raised with the standard of when one of you has done something wrong you are ALL guilty. Perhaps its time that we ALL join together and create a bill that reflects the wrongs hold consequences and those that do good are rewarded. I want to feel safe. I want my family to feel safe. I want my local police officers to be able to do their job without feeling threatened. I want to know that those keeping us safe from criminals that are incarcerated can feel safe doing their job. I want a police reform bill that makes sense not one that is trying to abolish police protection because Illinois wont stand behind them. Please come up with police reform that works instead of one that halts our protection.