An Illinois state representative is pushing a bill that would, in effect, make it legal to attack a police officer — as long as the suspect claims he was having a "mental health episode."
The lawmaker behind this stunt hails from Cook County, where politicians seem locked in a never-ending contest to see who can be the most anti-cop.
Meet Rep. Lisa Davis, a newly elected Democrat from the 32nd District, who wants to rewrite Illinois' criminal code — specifically, the section on aggravated battery.
Currently, Illinois law defines aggravated battery as a violent attack that causes "great bodily harm," "permanent disability," or "disfigurement," among other serious injuries. But under Davis' proposal, suspects could be absolved of their actions if they have a "documented mental illness and acted abruptly."
Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Bullard, a 34-year law enforcement veteran now serving his second term as sheriff, told Newsmax this proposal would have a devastating impact on public safety.
"Will a doctor's note that says I have anxiety or depression, or impulse control issues or something like that [give suspects] an excuse to act out and even possibly lay hands on the officer — or worse?"
Bullard pointed out the vast majority of defendants who currently use mental health as a legal shield aren't actually unfit, and that the judicial system already has safeguards in place for those who genuinely are.
"When we say people having a mental health episode cannot be held accountable for their actions, that's a very dangerous broad-stroke precedent to set. It has to be case by case."
Newsmax reached out to Davis for a response to the backlash from law enforcement, but so far, we have not heard back.
Davis' bill currently has two co-sponsors. And while she has not publicly defended the legislation, Bullard has a theory about her motivations.
He believes her background as a public defender has skewed her view of law enforcement. As he puts it, when you spend your days surrounded by criminals — many of them repeat offenders — you start seeing cops as the enemy.
Jason Mattera is a New York Times bestselling author and an Emmy-nominated crime correspondent for Newsmax. Get all of his latest reports here.