Found on columnist Ray Hanania’ substack page:
Last week in Illinois, Democrats introduced House Bill 3458 that punishes police officers who confront individuals who appear to be committing crimes, but who turn out to be mentally disabled people.
The current law says it is a defense for police or law enforcement officers to defend themselves when attacked (aggravated battery). HB 3458 strips away that protection for police if the person attacking them turns out to be mentally disabled.
This is just one law of dozens being adopted throughout the country where Democrats are in control. Control of cities plagued by rising crime. All of the laws shift the burden of crime away from criminals and place it on the police.
What these laws that weaken the burden on the criminals don’t address is the flaw that identifies the burden that falls on the families of the criminals, whose crimes are being wiped away.
A mentally disabled person, for example, should be under 24-hour care from their mother, father, or family member. They shouldn’t be allowed to roam the streets by themselves.
McHenry County Board Member John Collins Says Ray Hanania Interpretation of House Bill Incorrect
I think you may have misread the purpose of HB3458.
The bill:
"Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that it is a defense to aggravated battery when the individual battered is a peace officer and the officer responded to an incident in which the officer interacted with a person whom a reasonable officer could believe was having a mental health episode and the person with whom the officer interacted has a documented mental illness and acted abruptly."
This clarifies and provides peace officers with a defense if they have to use force in subduing a person with mental health issues, not the other way around.
John (Jack) K. Collin
Pronouns: he, him, his
