Bennett measure expands police applicant pool

Posted on February 27, 2017
Tom Bennett
State Rep. Tom Bennett has proposed a measure that could make it easier for some to apply to become a police officer. Photo courtesy www.ilga.gov)

By Eric Stock

GIBSON CITY – A local lawmaker has introduced a measure that’s intended to expand the field of hiring candidates for local police departments.

State Rep. Tom Bennett, R-Gibson City, proposed the measure which passed the Illinois House.

“It provides the requirement that a police applicant possess an associate’s degree may be waived if the applicant has successfully received credit for a minimum of 60 hours toward a bachelor’s degree,” Bennett said.

Bennett added frequently, students who are in their final years of a four-year degree program will attempt to apply for positions within local police departments. Despite having obtained more than 60 credit hours, these students are barred from applying since they don’t have an actual degree.

The measure has been approved in the Illinois House and awaits a vote in the Senate.

Bennett said the need for the measure was brought to him by the police chief in Pontiac.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…