SB 31 helps local police focus on their sworn police duties, keeping all Illinois communities safe

Today, Governor Rauner signed Senate Bill 31, the TRUST Act, into law. This legislation empowers local law enforcement to focus on their sworn police duties and go after dangerous criminal offenders, keeping our communities safe.

Here’s what law enforcement leaders have to say about the TRUST Act: 

“Don’t believe what you may be hearing – this is not a sanctuary state bill! I would never support that. This is a good bill that will make Illinois a safer place. Law enforcement must use every tool available in order to protect our communities from the true predators on the street. The relationships built because of this bill will give police officers and investigators a much better chance at convincing victims and witnesses of violent crime to come forward.” – Republican Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran

“I embrace this bill because it allows law enforcement to do their jobs better and in a safer environment, plain and simple. It does not make Illinois a sanctuary state, and it does not conflict with federal efforts aimed at sanctuary cities. Law enforcement put their lives on the line every day. This bill simply gives police another tool to protect our communities and find the people who have committed serious crimes by encouraging victims and witnesses to come forward and cooperate with law enforcement.”  – Republican Lake County State’s Attorney Mike Nerheim

“Don’t believe a lot of what you’re hearing about the Illinois Trust Act, which Governor Rauner will sign into law Monday (SB 31 HA3).

“It will not make Illinois a ‘sanctuary state.’ Not even close, despite what some critics and headlines are saying. So don’t worry, it’s not happening. We are pleased that Governor Rauner [signed] the bill.” – Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police

Last week, Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mark Brown interviewed Republican Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran on why he supports the TRUST Act:

…Curran runs the third largest sheriff’s department in Illinois in a county that is roughly 20 percent Latino.

Elected in 2006 as a Democrat, Curran switched to the Republican Party in 2008 and won re-election twice more.

Last year he ran as a Marco Rubio delegate to the Republican National Convention but in the end voted for Donald Trump for president to keep Democrats from controlling the Supreme Court.

Most important for our purposes today, he is a committed supporter of immigration reform and to limiting the role of local police in immigration enforcement — another complete switcheroo from when he came into office as a self-described “hard-liner.”

That makes Curran one of the key supporters of legislation Gov. Bruce Rauner intends to sign Monday that would restrict how local police interact with federal immigration authorities.

…In addition, the TRUST Act would prevent local police from stopping, searching or arresting anyone based on their immigration or citizenship status.

Again, that’s already how it’s done in Lake County, Curran said.

…“If you’re pro-life, this is a life issue,” Curran said. “It’s not simply the unborn child. It’s the dignity of the human being. These are people number one. At that point in time, I knew I was totally wrong.”

Separating police work from immigration enforcement also makes sense from a law enforcement perspective, he said.

…“In order to police these communities, protect these communities from the true predators, you have to be able to pull up with lights and all and not have widespread fear and panic among citizens that really have nothing to do with the crime.”

Consider the source. A good one.

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