State Representative Brad Stephens backed legislation this spring to modernize county law enforcement hiring standards. The legislation, SB1700, will allow counties to hire correctional officers and deputy sheriffs at age 18 while maintaining a higher age requirement for county police officers, unless applicants have relevant training.
The bill unanimously passed in both chambers of the General Assembly and was recently signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker.
For Rep. Stephens, it is essential that public safety be addressed through a wide lens, discerning how it can improve from the ground up, including local hiring practices.
“This law will help counties stimulate the recruitment of qualified law enforcement professionals while at the same time ensuring agencies can continue to meet their staffing needs,” said Stephens.
The Representative continues to assess what can be done in the legislature to support law enforcement while improving public safety in communities throughout Illinois.