Dan McLaughlin Opposes Police Reform Bill After Mayor's Call Out

ORLAND PARK, IL — Former Mayor of Orland Park Dan McLaughlin, the One Orland Park Party mayoral candidate, released a statement opposing the current police reform bill that's making its way through Illinois legislators. McLaughlin's statement comes just days after Mayor Keith Pekau announced his opposition.

House Bill 3653, which the Illinois Sheriffs' Association refers to as the "Defund the Police" bill, passed by a 60-50 vote. If passed, the bill will change use-of-force guidelines, require body cameras for every police department in the state, end cash bail, and strip collective bargaining rights relating to discipline from police unions. The Senate passed the bill in the early morning hours of Wednesday by a 32-23 vote.

Pekau took to social media early Friday afternoon calling on his opponent to speak up regarding the bill. "My opponent has been eerily silent on this issue. It is time for him to take a stance. In my opinion, his and his slate’s continued silence demonstrates their support for this awful bill," he said.

Just hours later, McLaughlin released a statement in opposition of the police reform bill.

"The One Orland team's first priority is protecting our families and part of that is consistent and strong support for our police," McLaughlin said. "I do not support defunding our police and our team will be there come April to make sure our police officers and law enforcement have the resources they need and that the community understands how those resources go toward protecting everyone in Orland. Anyone who says otherwise is using our police department as a political football instead of caring that residents have the facts."

McLaughlin called Patch minutes after the statement was released, saying Pekau's social media statement to him was "inappropriate." The candidate added that the One Orland Party was discussing the release of a potential statement prior to Pekau asking he speak out, but said that the slate wanted to have a better understanding of the bill first.

"When I was mayor we were constantly increasing funding to our police. We grew our department from 23 police officers to 99. Plus we built a high tech police station and had all the newest training available," McLaughlin said. "I think my record kind of speaks for itself. I want to make Orland Park a safe community and I have shown in the past that I am doing just that."

The two candidates are not the only public officials in town to announce their opposition of the bill. The Orland Fire Protection District said Friday that the nearly 700-page bill was rushed through legislatures, without a full and deliberate debate.

Similarly, Orland Park Police Chief Joe Mitchell released a statement earlier this week opposing the bill. Mitchell said the legislation "empowers criminals while tying the hands of police officers while making arrests for the benefit of public safety."

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