Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill last week that would allow for non-U.S. citizens to apply to become police officers, and on Monday he defended the legislation against critics.
During a press conference where he spoke about legislation protecting reproductive rights in the state, Pritzker emphasized that the bill would be limited to individuals who are legally allowed to work in the United States, and who are legally allowed 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.
HB 3751 was passed by both chambers of the General Assembly earlier this year. The bill’s language says that “individuals who are not citizens, but are legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law” will be allowed to apply for jobs with police departments beginning on Jan. 1, 2024.
The bill is also generating backlash. Reps. Mary Miller and Lauren Boebert were among Republicans to condemn the bill, arguing that the legislation would allow individuals who entered the U.S. illegally to apply for positions.
Former Chicago mayoral candidate Willie Wilson also opposed the bill, arguing that it “defies common sense that non-citizens should be arresting and detaining legal citizens.”
Pritzker fired back at those criticisms, saying that it is a misrepresentation of the legislation’s language.
