State Senator Neil Anderson is continuing his efforts to file and advocate for legislation pertaining to the safety and wellbeing of first responders across our state. Recently, Senator Anderson filed Senate Bill 3125 that would reinstate the death penalty for individuals found guilty of killing first responders.
“More than a decade ago, our state senselessly abolished the death penalty across the board,” said Senator Anderson. “It is important that we stand with our entire frontline line community and to hold fully accountable anyone who kills a first responder or peace officer.”
Senate Bill 3215 would reinstate the death penalty if a murdered first responder was a police officer, fireman, an EMT/paramedic, ambulance driver or other medical assistance or first aid personnel. It also includes employees of an institution such as the Department of Corrections or a similar local correctional agency.
“These are people who wake up every day to serve and protect our communities, the people on our streets, our homes and our loved ones,” said Anderson. “We owe it to the first responder community to make sure that anyone who attacks them is held accountable to highest level possible.”
Right now, 27 states allow death penalty sentences. In Illinois, first-degree murder of a police officer is currently punishable with a term of life imprisonment.
Lawmakers are scheduled to return to the capitol in February to take up new legislation.