JEFFERSON COUNTY, IL — A member of the Illinois Sheriff’s Association Legislative Committee says Illinois lawmakers will be discussing a new bill that would have major implications for the future of law enforcement and communities they serve in Illinois.

Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Bullard says this bill allows officers to be punished or fired based on anonymous, unsubstantiated or unverifiable complaints, essentially eliminating due process for law enforcement. He says this bill also eliminates cash bail which could have implications on the safety of a community when an offender is allowed to leave custody.

The 611 page House Bill 163 would – according to the Illinois Sheriff’s Association – “eliminate law enforcement as we know it from every community in the state” to “invalidate constitutionally protected due process of officers”.

The Illinois Sheriff’s Association and the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police have all opposed this bill which was put on Tuesday and will be taken up in committee Saturday.

You can listen to the full interview with Sheriff Bullard on the Southern Illinois Insider this Sunday at 11am on WMIX 94.1FM, 96.5FM, and AM940.