HR0735 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0735 LRB103 40468 MST 72845 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, More than 800,000 law enforcement officers in the United States risk their lives daily to serve and protect their communities, including nearly 40,000 in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, There are now more than 23,000 names listed among America's fallen law enforcement heroes on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial dating back to 1786, including names from Illinois; and

WHEREAS, More than 2,400 law enforcement officers have died in the United States in the line of duty during the past decade, an average of one officer fatality every 36 hours; and

WHEREAS, Members of law enforcement have faced increased challenges over the last several years, and the challenges have been further exacerbated by the drop to a dangerously low level in the retention and recruitment of sworn law enforcement officers, with current numbers showing fewer law enforcement officers per resident than at any other time during the past 25 years; and

WHEREAS, Law enforcement officers typically encounter between 400 and 600 traumatic events over the course of their career as an officer, compared with three or four traumatic events encountered by the average citizen; and

WHEREAS, The unusually high number of traumatic events experienced by law enforcement officers has contributed to a 54% higher suicide rate among officers than among individuals in other jobs; and

WHEREAS, The innovative and dedicated efforts of law enforcement officers have successfully reduced crime rates from historic highs; and

WHEREAS, Supporting law enforcement officers with the equipment, training, and funding needed to protect communities in Illinois and the United States from criminal violence has long received overwhelming public support from across the political spectrum; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Police Memorial ceremony is scheduled for May 2, 2024, and the week of May 12-18, 2024 has been designated as National Police Week, a time to honor the men and women who serve in law enforcement and pay special tribute to those officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice and to the families of those fallen heroes; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we highly respect and value the law enforcement officers of Illinois and the United States and greatly appreciate all that those officers do to protect and serve their communities; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we remember and honor law enforcement officers who have experienced a death or injury in the line of duty and the families of those officers; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we call for increased measures to be taken to maximize the safety and well-being of law enforcement officers, including improvements relating to the retention and recruitment of officers, improved training and equipment for officers, and increased mental health resources for officers; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we call on all levels of government in Illinois and across the United States to ensure that law enforcement officers receive the support and resources needed to keep all communities in Illinois and the United States safe; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we thank all members of law enforcement for their unwavering commitment to serve our communities and to keep us safe.