Springfield, Illinois – Assistant Minority Leader and State Representative John M. Cabello (R – Machesney Park) joined fellow Republican state representatives Patrick Windhorst (R – Metropolis), Dan Ugaste (R – Geneva), and Dennis Tipsword (R – Metamora) in a press conference Wednesday where their Truth In Public Safety working group presented their agenda that aims to improve public safety in Illinois.
State Representative John M. Cabello, a veteran police officer with nearly three decades of experience, addressed the urgent need to improve the recruitment and retention of law enforcement officers in Illinois. Cabello highlighted the ongoing struggle faced by departments across the state in attracting and retaining qualified officers.
Cabello, who currently serves with a Rockford area police department, emphasized the importance of empowering law enforcement officers with the tools they need to keep communities safe. “The recruitment and retention of law enforcement officers is a critical component of restoring public safety in Illinois,” said Cabello.
The Truth in Public Safety working group has proposed a series of legislative initiatives designed to attract top-notch law enforcement professionals and support current officers. The proposals include:
• HB 4047: Recognizes out-of-state training to help officers from other states find employment within Illinois departments.
• HB 4046: Protects law enforcement from anonymous complaints and ensures they receive their due process rights.
• HB 4048: Offers student loan repayment options as a financial incentive to attract the next generation of police officers, particularly in communities most in need.
• HB 3217: Establishes the Back the Badge program, which allows law enforcement agencies to develop and prioritize specific recruitment plans based on their unique needs and community desires.
Rep. Cabello emphasized the appeal of these initiatives, stating, “The adoption of these proposals will make it clear – we support our law enforcement, with both our words and actions. They serve as a way to address the concerns of police departments across Illinois and help them begin to attract the kind of honest and respectable law enforcement professionals that not only our friends on the other side of the aisle claim to support, but the kind of professionals that our communities deserve.”
The introduction of these proposals comes as a response to the damage done to law enforcement morale following the passage of the SAFE-T Act. While recognizing the political realities in Illinois, the Truth in Public Safety working group hopes their proposals will help rebuild trust and respect for law enforcement professionals.
For further information or to schedule interviews, please contact the office of State Rep. John M. Cabello at (815) 974-0090
John M. Cabello is State Representative for Illinois’ 90th House District which includes the following communities in Winnebago, Stephenson, and Boone counties: Rockford; Machesney Park; Freeport; Roscoe; Loves Park; Rockton; South Beloit; Caledonia; Durand; Rock City; and Rockton.