Orland Police Chief Joe Mitchell Opposes Police Reform Bill

ORLAND PARK, IL — Orland Park Police Chief Joe Mitchell released a statement Wednesday, opposing the police reform bill that is making its way past Illinois legislators. The bill could make policing in Illinois a bit different if passed.

House Bill 3653, which the Illinois Sheriffs' Association refers to as the "Defund the Police" bill, passed by a 60-50 vote. 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.

Mitchell took to Facebook explaining the 764-page bill, stating why he believes it is makes the job of officers "more difficult while actually diminishing public safety."

"This legislation, as it stands, empowers criminals while tying the hands of police officers while making arrests for the benefit of public safety," Mitchell said. "Additionally, the new legislation requires added mandates placed upon law enforcement without allocating any revenues to fund them."

Mitchell made note of the October 2020 Orland Park Village Board approval of body-worn cameras for sworn in officers. He said by the second quarter of the year, the department will choose a vendor and have recommendations on how to execute the program.

"We, at the Orland Park Police Department, already hold ourselves to the highest of ethical standards and have a proud history of safe and fair policing, all while continuing to employ the best officers in the country," Mitchell said.

The chief went on to thank the village board, highlighting approved tasks and programs. He said police-operating budgets have increased nearly 6 percent in the last year and that the board supported the creation of the village's newest Mental Health Mobile Crisis Response Unit. Mitchell said these approvals have resulted in the lowest number of index crimes in 1994, adding that Orland Park has the lowest violent crime rate for a municipality over 50,000 residents in Illinois.

"I, along with other law enforcement leaders are extremely disappointed by the process, the lack of discussion and collaboration with members of law enforcement by our lawmakers, and the ultimate voting outcome in the Illinois General Assembly today," Mitchell said. "Despite the limitations and challenges that law enforcement now faces as a result of this overreaching legislation, the men and women of the Orland Park Police Department will never waver in our mission to safeguard the citizens of Orland Park with dignity and professionalism."

Mayor Keith Pekau also opposed the house bill, saying it does more harm than good.

"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.

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.

Now that the bill has passed through the Illinois House and Senate, it is now making its way to the desk of Gov J.B. Pritzker.

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