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 "These men and women who risk their lives every day to protect us
deserve to be protected themselves. That's what these laws do," said
Blagojevich.
"As an organization, it is our sole mission to provide a voice
for every law enforcement official in the state, as well as across
the country," said Sean Smoot, treasurer of the National Association
of Police Organizations, as the organization met in Chicago for its
annual conference. "We are dedicated to these brave men and women
who protect our communities from harm, and we are so happy that
Governor Blagojevich has joined us in helping keep them safe by
signing these very important pieces of legislation."
House Bill 162,
sponsored by state Rep. Timothy Schmitz, R-Batavia, and state Sen.
John Millner, R-Carol Stream, gives federal agents the authority to
make arrests for all state offenses. The current law allows them to
make only felony arrests.
"I am happy the governor has taken this step to give federal
agents greater capability to protect Illinois citizens," said
Millner. "It is important that we expand protective measures to make
Illinois a safer place to live."
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"This legislation ... would foster interagency cooperation and make
joint federal-state investigations more efficient," said Schmitz.
House Bill 166, sponsored by state Sen. Michael Bond,
D-Grayslake, and state Rep. JoAnn Osmond, R-Antioch, allows pregnant
female law enforcement officials the opportunity to temporarily
transfer to a less strenuous or hazardous position during pregnancy
by making it a civil rights violation for employers to refuse such a
request.
"I am pleased the governor has taken steps to protect the rights
of women," said Osmond. "This bill provides a clear understanding of
what constitutes a violation of civil rights."
"Female law enforcement officials already put themselves in
harm's way on a daily basis," said Bond. "This bill will ensure that
extra preventative measures are taken to make sure they are kept out
of harm's way for the duration of their pregnancy."
These laws go into effect Jan. 1, 2008.
[Text from file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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