Last week, Jesse Reising announced a pro-law enforcement legislative initiative as part of his Day One Agenda in Congress, after meeting with Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell and local police chiefs. His proposal takes aim at rising crime rates by ensuring that local law enforcement agencies have the funding and support they need to keep our communities safe.
Reising’s initiative provides robust funding within the existing Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program, established by the 1994 Crime Bill, toward the COPS Hiring Program (CHP), which is designed to fill the ranks of law enforcement. Hiring programs like CHP have been substantially diminished compared to the levels at which they were funded during the late 1990s.
“The people of Central and Southern Illinois deserve to feel safe in their communities. As a former federal criminal prosecutor, I know how important the rule of law is, and I understand the difficulties our brave men and women in blue are facing,” said Jesse Reising, candidate for Illinois’ thirteenth district. “The Defund the Police movement must be stopped in its tracks. I intend to get to Washington and pass policies that empower law enforcement and keep our communities safe.”
The proposal also includes increased funding of $70 million for Project Safe Neighborhoods with a renewed focus for the program on cracking down on gang violence and other violent crimes, as well as providing support for mental health services.
Jesse Reising is the only candidate in the race for the thirteenth congressional district with the endorsement of law enforcement professionals from across the district, having picked up endorsements from multiple sheriffs and state’s attorneys. Prior to this policy proposal, Reising announced his plans to reform Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, proving that he is prepared to get results immediately upon taking office.