 "With the signing of this bill into law, we are giving our men and
women who serve our communities extra protection against those that
wish them harm," Bomke said. "The more stringent penalties will
bring justice and protect our front-line law enforcement officers."
During testimony in the Senate, Chatham police officer Adam DeJaynes
gave details of a situation he faced while on duty.
"Officer DeJaynes was confronted by a man that tried to attack
him with a deadly weapon," Bomke said. "After DeJaynes gained
control of the situation and placed the assailant under arrest, he
realized that he could only charge him with a misdemeanor."
If a similar situation were to occur under the new law, the
attacker could be charged with Class 4 felony that comes with a
penalty of up to three years in prison and up to a $25,000 fine.
"We will now be able to achieve our goal of making our streets
and law enforcement officers safer," Bomke said. "The new penalty
better fits the crime of aggravated assault on a police officer."
The increased penalty will go into effect Jan. 1, 2011.
[Text from file sent on behalf of
Sen.
Larry Bomke by Illinois
Senate Republican staff]
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