Representative Andrew Chesney of Freeport files ‘Back the Badge’ petition

SPRINGFIELD (WREX) — One local lawmaker is pushing for a new petition that aims to support police. Republican State Representative Andrew Chesney of Freeport created the 'Back the Badge' petition.

Chesney says he feels it is important that law enforcement hear from others that they support their mission.

He also filed a resolution that says crimes committed by police against our citizens cannot nor will be tolerated. Adding that those individuals must be held accountable and prosecuted for the acts.

Here is Representative Chesney's full statement:

I cannot believe how radical these proposals are from Progressive Democrats in Springfield. When Lame-Duck Session began, I never would have imagined that we would have to be lobbying our few moderate Democrat colleagues so hard to not eliminate law enforcement and to not decriminalize heroin and methamphetamine. These proposals are counter to the societal norms supported by all Illinoisans, and certainly counter to our shared Northwest Illinois values. We support our law enforcement and know they have a job to do in protecting and serving us all. I felt it very important that law enforcement hear from some of us that we support their mission and do not buy in to these bizarre proposals which would make our communities less safe.

Representative Andrew Chesney