Orland Park Mayor: 'I Strongly Oppose The Defund Police Bill'

ORLAND PARK, IL — A 611-page police reform bill in the Illinois General Assembly could change criminal justice policies and policing in the state. Lawmakers have begun considering House Bill 163 and its companion bill in the lame-duck session which ends Wednesday.

Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau opposes the bills and took to social media to say that he's called legislators on both sides of the aisle that have told him that they, too, oppose them, but that the vote will be close.

"The FOP and every police organization opposes this bill. Every mayor’s organization in the state opposes this bill. Every state’s attorney in Illinois opposes this bill, except Kim Foxx – who is the biggest impediment to public safety in Cook County," Pekau said on his official Facebook page.

The proposed legislation, which the Illinois Sheriffs' Association refers to as the "Defund the Police" bill, includes elimination of qualified immunity, ending cash bail, expanding police training on use of force and prohibiting chokeholds. It also requires the maintenance of police misconduct records and the use of special prosecutors in officer-involved deaths.

Pekau believes the bills do more harm than good and stands to benefit criminals — not law-abiding citizens.

"Let’s be clear, the supporters of this bill believe that criminals should be protected from law-abiding citizens. They want to destroy the police’s ability to keep residents safe," Pekau said. "The lawlessness allowed this summer, and the subsequent lack of prosecution by Kim Foxx and others like her throughout the country, demonstrate their disregard for public safety."

Meanwhile, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx supports the bill, releasing the following statement over the weekend:

“I believe that the spirit of Illinois House Bill 163 is meant to build trust in police departments across Illinois while addressing long-needed problems to alter unfair criminal justice policies rooted in systemic racism that result in our jails and prisons being disproportionately occupied by Black and Brown individuals.  And although not perfect, with thoughtful deliberation and collaboration House Bill 163 can be worked to address concerns, which is why I support this critical piece of criminal justice reform legislation," she said.

Illinois Sen. Elgie Sims echoed Fox's sentiments in a recent tweet.

"House Bill 163 is about ensuring that we have a criminal justice system that works fairly for all Illinoisans. The time for change is now," he said.

Meanwhile, Illinois Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge President Chris Southwood said the bill is "the worst thing to happen to our profession in the history of the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police and the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council. It will burn our profession to the ground, forcing it to start over from scratch — which may be the very desire of those supporting this legislation."

Pekau worries that if the bill passes it will be a blow to public safety, a set back for residents who follow the law and a win for criminals.

"The fact is that criminals are the problem, not law-abiding citizens and police. That does not mean that policing is perfect. However, every police officer I know wants to keep residents safe and to do so in a professional manner," he said.

The mayor ended his post by praising the Orland Park Police Department as a model for other departments to follow.

"We constantly strive to improve our policies and procedures and have been the leaders in areas like mental health. Our CIT trained officers and Mobile Response Unit are put in place to address mental health issues and keep them from becoming criminal issues. We will continue to do so. However, if HB163 is passed it will destroy our ability to keep the public safe," he said.

"This is not about party politics. This is about public safety. Please take the time to contact your legislator and let them know that you oppose this bill," he continued.