More protections for police, firefighters, other first responders and corrections officers was the subject of Republican candidate for state Senate in District 59 Dale Fowler's recent legislative proposal.
His initiative would add the group as a protected class under hate crime laws.
"When our police officers and other first responders are being directly targeted it makes everyone less safe," Fowler said. "We must do everything in our power to support those putting their lives on the line to protect us. The proposed legislation adds law enforcement, correctional officers, firefighters, and first responders to the list of protected classes under Illinois hate crimes statutes."
Hate crimes are focused on classes of individuals based upon their race, color, creed, religion, gender and other specific characteristics, including disabilities. Under hate crimes laws, individuals or groups who target these protected classes face additional penalties for their actions. The proposed revision to existing hate crime statutes would extend the added penalties to the men and women in blue and their colleagues.
Retiring state Sen. Dave Luechtefeld (R-Okawville) announced he would introduce the "Blue Lives Matter" legislation when lawmakers return in November for the fall veto session. While he expressed doubt that the proposal would see immediate action, he hoped that Fowler and fellow candidate Paul Schimpf, a Republican from Waterloo, would follow through if elected.
Louisiana has implemented a similar revision to its hate crime laws and the Chicago City Council is considering following suit.
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