Five Republican state senators including St Sen. Brian Stewart of Freeport have introduced fifteen new bills to help police and others who fight violent crime.
Stewart says we must end delays with laws that will improve the tracking and reporting of gun crimes.
He also says more must be done to give local officials the tools they need to make communities safer.
The legislative package of bills includes the “Fund the Police Act” which would give $100 million in appropriations to local governments and universities to hire police officers.
The package also includes changing the “Community Mental Health Act” which would give 20% to county sheriffs to be used for mental health services within county jails.
Illinois Senate Republicans say the bills will take on the crime wave that has enveloped the state.