Illinois lawmakers push to make assaults on cops a hate crime with enhanced penalties

SPRINGFIELD, In poor health. (WLS) — There’s a push in Springfield to crack down on individuals who commit assaults on cops, with some lawmakers aiming to make it a hate crime with enhanced penalties.

This, as FBI statistics present these assaults are on the rise.

Citing the demonstration last year at the Columbus statue in Grant Park that turned violent with Molotov cocktails and different projectiles being hurled at and injuring officers, some lawmakers are actually pushing for harder punishment for individuals who assault police.

“There’s an uptick in not solely assaults towards cops, however assaults, shootings and killings. It is our job to try to defend our officers,” stated State Rep. Marty Moylan, (D) Des Plaines.

In line with the FBI, 60,105 officers have been attacked and greater than 60,000 officers have been assaulted in 2020, which is up 4,000 from the 12 months earlier than.

Almost one-third of the officers sustained accidents, with a majority of these officers being punched or kicked.

“It is a very disturbing pattern,” stated State Senator John Connor (D) Crest Hill. “We have to arrest this pattern and restore our officers to mainly the guardians of our society that they’re. They’re the final line from anarchy.”

Nonetheless, critics argue that locking individuals up longer shouldn’t be the reply and level to research which have proven it isn’t a deterrent.

“If we’re telling the general public that we will make them safer, and defend cops and scale back crime, then we’re actually barking up the mistaken tree if we’re proposing penalty enhancements as a manner to try this,” stated Benjamin Ruddell, ACLU-Illinois director of prison justice coverage.

Supporters who gathered within the chilly outdoors the Des Plaines Police Division Thursday stated the regulation is about greater than cracking down on criminals, it is about sending a message to beleaguered police.

“They’re anxious about the way in which a number of the unhealthy guys are treating them now, they really feel that they’ve the higher hand,” stated Park Ridge Police Chief Frank Kaminski.

“As a police officer’s spouse, it is very scary to see my husband depart within the morning and never come again. It is only a chance. It is one thing that we do not wish to take into consideration,” stated State Rep. Angie Guerrero-Cuellar, (D) Chicago.

Supporters are additionally proposing a invoice to supply $100 million in funding for coaching and tools to assist police.

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