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 A bill in Springfield would grant “conservator of the peace”
powers to all members of the Illinois General Assembly.
After Illinois state representatives and senators completed a law enforcement
training course, House Bill 724 would allow them to:
Arrest or cause to be arrested, with or without process, all persons who break
the peace or are found violating any municipal ordinance or any criminal law of
the state
Commit arrested persons for examination
If necessary, to detain arrested persons in custody overnight or Sunday in any
safe place or until they can be brought before the proper court, and
Exercise all other powers as conservators of the peace prescribed by state and
corporate authorities.
State Rep. Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, has raised concerns about the proposed bill.
 “Who’s going to carry the liability insurance? Who’s going to wear body cameras
and when is that going to be required?” Caulkins said to WAND-TV. “Do you want
political people with the power to arrest someone that they may not agree with
politically? I mean, I think there’s a lot to be thought about.”
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The concerns Caulkins expressed over mixing the
lawmaking powers of representatives with law enforcement echo
criticisms long aimed at Chicago aldermen.
Alderman have been considered “conservators of the peace” under
Illinois law since 1872, granting them the power to make arrests and
carry a concealed handgun in the case they or someone else is under
immediate threat of bodily harm. They also have badges.
But because Chicago is a home-rule municipality, city alderman were
able to pass legislation making themselves exempt from the
state-mandated firearm training required of law officers to carry
firearms, despite possessing similar policing powers.
The bill was assigned to the House Executive Committee on March 2.
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