Rep. Willis supports law providing stricter sentences for assaulters of first responders.
Rep. Willis supports law providing stricter sentences for assaulters of first responders.
State Rep. Kathleen Willis' (D-IL) support for new legislation imposing tougher sentences on those who assault first responders in Illinois has now become law.
“The last thing a paramedic or firefighter should have to worry about when arriving at a scene is being physically attacked by a criminal,” Willis said. “Unfortunately, we’ve found that such attacks have been a growing problem in Illinois so we decided to take action.”
The new law upgrades the penalty for assaulting a firefighter or emergency medical technician (EMT) from a misdemeanor crime to a Class 4 felony. Prior to the law, assaulting an EMT could result in a prison sentence of no more than one year. Under the new law backed by Willis, such offences could result in up to three years of imprisonment.
“This law is a commonsense step to provide greater protection to our men and women who put their lives in danger to serve us,” Willis said. “These individuals lay their lives on the line every day for us and we need to do what we can to make sure they’re protected while on the job, and criminals who harm them are brought to justice.”
Supporters of the law include the Illinois Fire Chief EMS Committee, the Illinois AFL-CIO, AFSCME Council 31 and the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois.
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