South Central Reporter

State Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Effingham) has come out in support of legislation filed by state Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Louisville) that seeks to reinstate the death penalty in Illinois for people who commit first-degree murder against a police officer.

“I will be filing a joint piece of legislation in the House,” Wilhour said at a recent news conference. “Lawlessness and disorder and unbridled chaos in the streets of our cities are robbing too many citizens of the opportunities that they and their families deserve in this state. Law enforcement officers are being overworked, disrespected and put at unacceptable and unnecessary risks by politicians in the state and in this country.”

Supporters of Senate Bill 3899 say the bill is the first step to restoring respect to law enforcement.

“Things are really out of control,” Wilhour said. “Law enforcement officers, innocent families that are victims of this culture of violence are not being properly represented by the people that represent them in government in Springfield, and in Washington, and this has to change.”

Wilhour points to the recent killings of Bradley Police Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic and Wayne County Sheriff Deputy Sean Riley as examples of just how out-of-control things have grown to be.

A 21-year law enforcement veteran, Rittmanic was gunned down while already down and begging for her life. Two people have been charged in connection with the shooting, which also critically injured a second officer. The Kankakee County State’s Attorney has requested that federal prosecutors pursue the death penalty for both.

Riley was shot and killed while answering a call to help a stranded motorist. 

Bailey said the state has lost 25 officers in the line of duty over the last three years, including six over the last eight months, five of them to gunfire.

“The policy of appeasement to criminals has been a deadly disaster,” Wilhour said. “Illinois government, starting with Gov. Pritzker all the way down to the legislature, has been overrun by radicals that are aggressively pushing policies that punish police officers and put them at unnecessary and unacceptable risk. When we take over electorally, it will be known that if you come to Illinois and you commit violence against a police officer in the line of duty we are encouraging prosecutors to bring down the full force of the law on these people.”

Rittmanic is being remembered as being all heart, taking part in a Shop with a Cop event just weeks before her death where she volunteered her time to help provide Christmas gifts to children in need. In 2020, she was honored as Law Enforcement Officer of the Year in 2020 and just after Christmas, Kankakee County Humane Foundation director Jordan Chapman said her organization received “a substantial donation for the care of our residents” from the officer and her wife.

The Wayne County state’s attorney has charged 40-year-old Ray Tate, of Kentucky, with first-degree murder in the Riley shooting. Tate was captured in Clinton County later that day after a hostage situation.

Filed on Jan. 21, Bailey’s bill has gained the support of fellow state Sen. Neil Anderson (R-Moline), who has signed on a cosponsor. The measure has now been referred to the Senate Assignments Committee.