Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-IL) is facing scrutiny from conservatives after signing a law that will allow non-U.S. citizens to become police officers, which Republican lawmakers say will open law enforcement jobs to illegal immigrants.
Pritzker signed H.B. 3751 last week after it was passed by both General Assembly chambers this year. Illinois is a Democratic trifecta, allowing for left-leaning policies to become law despite pushback from GOP state and national officials.
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Under H.B. 3751, “individuals who are not citizens, but are legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law” will be allowed to apply for police department positions beginning on Jan. 1, 2024.
Republicans, including state Rep. Mary Miller, expressed outrage over the bill, calling it “madness.
“At 5 p.m. yesterday, when no one was paying attention, Pritzker signed a bill to allow illegal immigrants to become police officers, giving non-citizens the power to arrest citizens in our state,” she tweeted. “No sane state would allow foreign nationals to arrest their citizens, this is madness!”
At 5pm yesterday, when no one was paying attention, Pritzker signed a bill to allow illegal immigrants to become police officers, giving non-citizens the power to arrest citizens in our state. No sane state would allow foreign nationals to arrest their citizens, this is madness!
— Rep. Mary Miller (@RepMaryMiller) July 29, 2023
National Republicans have pushed back against Illinois’s new law, as well. U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, blasting the law for allowing “illegals” to become law enforcement officers.
“In the state of Illinois, illegals can now become police officers. Yes, you heard that right,” Boebert posted. “People who are breaking the law by their presence here can now arrest American citizens.
“You know the other blue states are watching and getting ready to implement this idea as soon as they can! We either address this border crisis or allow our country to descend further into a Leftist dystopia,” the Colorado congresswoman continued.
In the state of Illinois, illegals can now become police officers.
Yes, you heard that right.
People who are breaking the law by their presence here can now arrest American citizens.
You know the other blue states are watching and getting ready to implement this idea as soon…
— Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) July 30, 2023
Representatives of the Illinois Municipal League and Chicago Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #7 filed witness slips in support of the bill. The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police originally opposed the measure but then switched its stance to be neutral.
Pritzker defended the bill at a press conference on Tuesday, emphasizing that it would be limited to individuals who are legally allowed to work in the U.S., as well as legally able to possess firearms.
“We have the ability for people who are legally here in this country, and permanent residents and DACA residents, to apply for jobs as police officers,” he said.
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He hit back at Republicans, saying they are misrepresenting the legislation.
“I am tired of the right wing twisting things,” he said. “They put it on Facebook, they tell lies. There are people out there that think we’re just allowing anybody to become a police officer. That’s just not accurate.”
