Chambana Sun

The recent signing of HB3751 into law has sparked controversy and opposition, with Illinois State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) expressing his strong disapproval.

The new law permits non-U.S. citizens to serve as law enforcement officers, a decision that Halbrook believes poses a direct threat to democracy and the values of the American way of life. Halbrook was among the seven legislators in the House who voted against the bill, denouncing it as an "outright attack" on fundamental principles.

“HB3751 was signed into law this week. It allows NON-US Citizens to become law enforcement officers. Do you or anyone think that this is a good idea?” Halbrook said on Facebook. “I was 1 of only 7 NO votes in the House to reject this outright attack on democracy & the America way of life.”

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the law on Friday, July 28. State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet), argued the law poses a fundamental breach of democracy by granting non-citizens the power to arrest and detain U.S. citizens.

“This is just a foundational thing. I get that everybody is running away from law enforcement in Chicago because of everything the state of Illinois has done to law enforcement in Chicago,” Rose said during the debate on the bill, according to The Center Square. “But to backfill that and hand the power to arrest and detain a citizen of this state or any state in the United States to a non-citizen is a fundamental breach of democracy.”

The law goes into effect Jan. 1, 2024. It applies to the undocumented residents “legally authorized under federal law to work in the United States and is authorized under federal law to obtain, carry, or purchase or otherwise possess a firearm, or who is an individual against whom immigration action has been deferred by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) process and is authorized under federal law to obtain, carry, or purchase or otherwise possess a firearm."

The roll call vote shows Halbrook was joined only by fellow Republicans Dan Caulkins, Jed Davis, Chris Miller, Adam Niemerg, Tom Weber, and Blaine Wilhour in voting no, according to ilga.gov.