HR0735LRB103 40468 MST 72845 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, More than 800,000 law enforcement officers in the 
3United States risk their lives daily to serve and protect 
4their communities, including nearly 40,000 in Illinois; and
 
5    WHEREAS, There are now more than 23,000 names listed among 
6America's fallen law enforcement heroes on the walls of the 
7National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial dating back to 
81786, including names from Illinois; and
 
9    WHEREAS, More than 2,400 law enforcement officers have 
10died in the United States in the line of duty during the past 
11decade, an average of one officer fatality every 36 hours; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Members of law enforcement have faced increased 
13challenges over the last several years, and the challenges 
14have been further exacerbated by the drop to a dangerously low 
15level in the retention and recruitment of sworn law 
16enforcement officers, with current numbers showing fewer law 
17enforcement officers per resident than at any other time 
18during the past 25 years; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Law enforcement officers typically encounter 
20between 400 and 600 traumatic events over the course of their 
21career as an officer, compared with three or four traumatic 
 
 
HR0735- 2 -LRB103 40468 MST 72845 r

1events encountered by the average citizen; and
 
2    WHEREAS, The unusually high number of traumatic events 
3experienced by law enforcement officers has contributed to a 
454% higher suicide rate among officers than among individuals 
5in other jobs; and
 
6    WHEREAS, The innovative and dedicated efforts of law 
7enforcement officers have successfully reduced crime rates 
8from historic highs; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Supporting law enforcement officers with the 
10equipment, training, and funding needed to protect communities 
11in Illinois and the United States from criminal violence has 
12long received overwhelming public support from across the 
13political spectrum; and
 
14    WHEREAS, The Illinois Police Memorial ceremony is 
15scheduled for May 2, 2024, and the week of May 12-18, 2024 has 
16been designated as National Police Week, a time to honor the 
17men and women who serve in law enforcement and pay special 
18tribute to those officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice 
19and to the families of those fallen heroes; therefore, be it
 
20    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
21HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
 
 
HR0735- 3 -LRB103 40468 MST 72845 r

1we highly respect and value the law enforcement officers of 
2Illinois and the United States and greatly appreciate all that 
3those officers do to protect and serve their communities; and 
4be it further
 
5    RESOLVED, That we remember and honor law enforcement 
6officers who have experienced a death or injury in the line of 
7duty and the families of those officers; and be it further
 
8    RESOLVED, That we call for increased measures to be taken 
9to maximize the safety and well-being of law enforcement 
10officers, including improvements relating to the retention and 
11recruitment of officers, improved training and equipment for 
12officers, and increased mental health resources for officers; 
13and be it further
 
14    RESOLVED, That we call on all levels of government in 
15Illinois and across the United States to ensure that law 
16enforcement officers receive the support and resources needed 
17to keep all communities in Illinois and the United States 
18safe; and be it further
 
19    RESOLVED, That we thank all members of law enforcement for 
20their unwavering commitment to serve our communities and to 
21keep us safe.