Caucus News

Springfield - First responders will soon have access to additional mental health resources after a new measure supported by Senator Robert Martwick providing behavioral health grants to law enforcement agencies and local governments was signed into law.
"First responders are frequently exposed to trauma,” said Martwick (D - Chicago). “Lack of access to mental health care for first responders contributes to high turnover and rising suicide rates. First responders need and deserve to have access to mental health services.”
The new law creates a First Responder Behavioral Health Grant Program, which will award grants to local governments and law enforcement agencies to support the behavioral health care needs of first responders.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure advanced by Senator Robert Martwick to address Illinois’ ever-growing teacher shortage by bringing back retired educators was signed into law.

“There are thousands of classrooms across the state where students are left without a fully qualified instructor during the school day,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “We need to put teachers in classrooms to ensure our children thrive.”

The new law, formerly known as Senate Bill 3465, amends the Chicago Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension code by allowing retired CPS teachers to return to work without it affecting their pensions. Schools are able to submit documentation with their regional superintendent to request help from retired educators in a “subject shortage area.” This emergency measure will remain in effect until June 30, 2024.

Chicago - A measure designed to provide law enforcement with additional resources to combat carjackings was signed into law thanks to the efforts of State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago).

“The rise in carjackings is disturbing and yet, arrests are almost never made in these crimes denying these victims justice,” Martwick said. “We need to do all we can to ensure that law enforcement agencies are working together to try new ideas to address this issue.”

SPRINGFIELD – Widows of Chicago firefighters and police are one step closer to receiving additional support after a measure advanced by  State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) was signed into law.

“Despite the false narrative of an overgenerous pension system, widows of Chicago first responders have been living with great financial hardship for decades,” Martwick said. “This adjustment is essential if we are going to support the widows of our Chicago firefighters and police officers who put themselves in the line of duty to keep all of us safe. I’m pleased that we are taking this small step  to support the families who sacrifice so much for all of us.”

Springfield - Two new measures were recently signed into law to provide greater support for law enforcement agencies to hire and retain officers. Both laws were spearheaded by State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago).

“I am proud to see these new laws provide additional support to recruit the next generation of police officers,” Martwick said. “We are working to address the practical concerns of law enforcement agencies across the state.”

One new law, formerly known as House Bill 3863, will create the Law Enforcement Recruitment and Retention Fund and will aim to increase police officer retention and recruitment.  The fund will award grants for the purposes of hiring and retaining law enforcement officers.

Another law, formerly known as House Bill 1568, will also permit all law enforcement officers and parole agents who are honorably retiring in good standing to purchase their service badge and their former service firearm if they have a valid FOID card. The new law also lowers the retirement age for eligible employees from 60 to 55. The laws were part of a package advocated for by law enforcement agencies.

House Bill 3863 was signed into law on Tuesday and House Bill 1568 was signed into law Friday and both take effect immediately.

Springfield - A new measure to provide greater support for  law enforcement agencies and lower the police retirement age championed  by State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) became law.

“I am proud to see this new law provide additional support to recruit the next generation of police officers,” Martwick said. “We are working to address the practical concerns of law enforcement agencies across the state.”

SPRINGFIELD –  State Senator Robert Martwick paid his respect to police officers who have fallen in the line of duty during this year’s Illinois Police Officers Memorial Ceremony in Springfield Thursday.

“This ceremony is a small gesture to pay our respects to the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe,” said Martwick (D-Chicago). “I am honored to have been able to attend this ceremony alongside police officers and their families to reflect on the bravery of those who have given their lives to keep our communities safe and to stand in support of their families during this difficult time.”

The monument in Springfield, located on the west lawn of the State Capitol, bears the names of the officers who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their communities. It was first dedicated in 1990, and a ceremony is held each year to pay tribute to fallen officers and their families. The names of every officer who died while serving during the previous year are engraved in the monument leading up to the ceremony.

Springfield -  A legislative package intending to provide greater support for  law enforcement agencies ranging from mental health support, to hiring and retaining officers and the purchase of body cameras was unveiled at a press conference Monday with strong support from State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago). 

“I am proud to join my colleagues in support of this legislative package to show that we are working to address the practical concerns of law enforcement agencies across the state,” Martwick said. “From clarifying when officers can use body cameras to getting more support for mental health issues in jails and helping local agencies recruit more highly qualified officers, Illinois is continuing to show up for our hardworking officers.” 

House Bill 3863 creates the Law Enforcement Recruitment and Retention Fund to help law enforcement agencies hire and retain qualified law enforcement officers.