Illinois Governor Rauner signed off on a few bills that aim to improve police officer interactions. One measure mandates a standard training program to better prepare officers for encountering individuals with mental illness.
Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) sponsored the bill.
“Many communities are grappling with the issue of mental illness, and we just want our officers to be prepared to understand at a moment’s notice,” Gordon-Booth said.
The law requires police departments across the state to undergo training conducted by the National Association of Mental Illness. Gordon-Booth says the bipartisan legislation puts Illinois ahead of the country on police reform and body cameras.
She says the bipartisan legislation is proof that Springfield can strike a deal.
“Were there times when those negotiations would get a little heated? Certainly," Gordon-Booth said. "But you know what we did? We stayed at it, we committed to getting something done because we knew the people of this state demanded as such.”