Governor JB Pritzker signed two bills into law to support law enforcement and emergency responders by modernizing recruitment standards to attract qualified deputy sheriffs and by ensuring consistency in traffic enforcement is applied to Scott’s Law violations.
“Our state has one of the best police forces in the entire nation, and we’re working to increase their talent pipeline by modernizing hiring practices and enhancing protections for officer-involved crashes,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The bills I signed today not only support the wellbeing of those who serve on the frontlines, but they also enhance roadway safety, reduce preventable tragedies, and reinforce our shared responsibility to keep communities across Illinois safe.”
“Keeping Illinois communities safe means ensuring our law enforcement agencies can recruit qualified officers while also protecting the first responders who put themselves in harm’s way every day,” said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. “These measures strengthen public safety, support those who serve, and reinforce our commitment to making Illinois roads safer for everyone.”
These bills include:
- SB 1700: Modernizes recruitment standards for deputy sheriff hires while maintaining the current training and probationary requirements, effective January 1, 2027 (Sen. Bill Cunningham/Rep. Mary Gill)
- SB 3164: Updates Illinois Traffic Enforcement and Licensing Procedures to refine and limit how driver’s license suspensions and revocations are applied, effective immediately (Sen. Julie Morrison/Rep. Jay Hoffman)
Modernizing Recruitment Standards for Deputy Sheriff Hires
Sheriff departments across the state are facing ongoing staffing shortages. To give qualified young adults a pathway into public service careers and help to recruit and retain qualified deputy sheriffs, SB 1700 maintains the current minimum age requirement of 21 years old for county police officers, while allowing individuals to serve beginning at age 20 if they have completed two years of law enforcement studies at an accredited college or university. The legislation also allows correctional officers (CO) and full-time deputy sheriffs not employed as county police officers to be appointed beginning at age 18.
County police officers are still required to complete the current training and probationary period of at least 12 months, while CO’s and full-time deputy sheriffs not employed as county police officers will need to complete a 15-month probationary period.
“Serving in the Sheriff’s Office opens the door to a challenging and rewarding career in law enforcement, and more people will now be able to take advantage of this opportunity,” said Sheriff Thomas J. Dart. “Our academy is one of the premier law enforcement programs in the nation, and these young men and women will be well-equipped with the skills and training needed to ensure their success. We are also grateful for the support Teamsters Local 700 expressed for this legislation, which will promote safety in the Jail and in our communities.”
“Sheriff’s departments across the state are facing ongoing staffing shortages, and we need to make sure qualified young adults have a pathway into public service careers,” said State Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago). “This new law modernizes recruitment standards while maintaining important training and probationary requirements.”
“For young people across Cook County interested in working in the Sheriff’s Office, this legislation brings them one step closer to achieving their dreams,” said State Rep. Mary Gill (D-Chicago). “During the initial probationary period, deputy sheriffs will gain real, practical experience, giving them space to learn and grow. This means they’ll become eligible for promotions earlier, allowing a greater number of law enforcement agents to advance and succeed in their careers.”
Updating Scott’s Law Ensure Penalties Are Tied to Serious Offenses
To continue to improve safety for people driving on Illinois roads, SB 3164 clarifies the driving privileges for individuals found guilty of a Move Over Law violation, known as Scott’s Law in Illinois. Drivers who fail to move over and slow down for emergency vehicles and cause the injury or death of another person were previously charged with a Class 4 felony and had their driver’s license suspended. SB 3164 updates language in the Illinois Vehicle Code to ensure that these individuals will now have their driver’s license revoked, making it harder to be reinstated in the future.
In 2026, ISP suffered nine Move Over Law-related crashes, resulting in two injured Troopers. In 2025, ISP reported 15 Move Over Law-related crashes with seven Troopers injured. In 2024, ISP had 27 Move Over Law-related crashes with 12 injuries and the death of Trooper Clay Carns.
“ISP Troopers have suffered the heartache of seeing a fellow officer either injured or killed because a driver failed to move over, only to see that same driver back on the road,” said Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly. “License revocation cannot take away the pain caused to officers, family, and friends, but it can help reduce the likelihood the same driver will cause similar harm and pain to anyone else.”
“Senate Bill 3164 is about keeping families safe and holding people accountable when they violate a protective order,” said State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “By tying vehicle-related consequences to domestic battery and order-of-protection violations, we’re closing a gap that too many survivors have had to live with. This new law also strengthens protections for the workers and children who use our roads every day — stricter penalties in school and construction zones send a clear message that reckless driving in these areas won’t be tolerated.”
“These are needed updates done in coordination with the Illinois State Police to better align our laws with public safety priorities,” said State Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea). “I appreciate their recommendations and look forward to continuing to develop responsible ideas that standardize our rules, hold bad actors accountable and make our roads safer for all travelers.”
“We truly appreciate the support we have received for this life saving legislation,” said Illinois State Police Command Officers Association President Steve Lyddon. “Every year, police officers in Illinois are injured, some severely, by vehicles that don’t slow down and move over. With the provisions of this legislation, we sincerely hope for the improved safety of all first responders in Illinois.”
Additional information about ISP related crashes can be found on the Move Over Law dashboard.
***Courtesy of the State of Illinois***
