Please ask your state representative to support HB1727. Current Illinois law protects bad police officers through “qualified immunity,” so such officers are not held accountable for violating a citizen’s rights. Under HB1727, the Bad Apples in Law Enforcement Accountability Act, qualified immunity would not be a defense; instead such officers must show they acted reasonably under the circumstances. Qualified immunity does not protect citizens, communities or quality officers.
Currently civil suits for bad officers violating citizens’ rights are paid by cities, but these officers are not held responsible. The civil suit is paid for by taxpayers, not by the offending officer who is free to continue violating citizens’ rights.
Remember, contact your state representative.
Tom Ard, Oak Park
