SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham advanced legislation that would help law enforcement agencies recruit and retain qualified deputy sheriffs.
“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 Cunningham a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “This legislation helps modernize recruitment standards while maintaining important training and probationary requirements.”
Senate Bill 1700 would maintain 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 measure would also allow correctional officers and full-time deputy sheriffs not employed as county police officers to be appointed beginning at age 18.
Under the bill, county police officers would continue to serve a probationary period of at least 12 months. Correctional officers and full-time deputy sheriffs not employed as county police officers would serve a 15-month probationary period.
“This is about giving departments more flexibility while ensuring public safety remains the priority,” Cunningham said. “By strengthening recruitment efforts and maintaining accountability standards, we can better support law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.”
Senate Bill 1700 passed the Senate on Wednesday.
