New Illinois law allows non-citizens to become police officers

CHICAGO - Police officers in Chicago and statewide had been required by federal law to be citizens of the United States.

But with a sweep of his pen last week, Gov. J.B. Pritzker changed that as Illinois will soon allow non-citizens who are eligible to become members of law enforcement upon completion of training.

"The goal of the bill is to allow DACA and permanent residents that are already able to work in the country legally to apply to become police officers," said Democratic State Rep. Barbara Hernandez (Aurora), who led the charge to get the legislation passed.

There are currently more than 30,000 DACA recipients living and working in Illinois, while at the same time unprecedented officer shortages statewide.

However, filling those vacant jobs with non-citizens is a non-starter for former Chicago mayoral candidate Dr. Willie Wilson, who, in an exclusive interview with FOX 32, condemned the legislation.

"I cannot go to China or any other country in the world being a non-citizen and become a police officer, and I think that’s wrong," said Wilson.

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Rep. Hernandez said she knew there would be fallout once Gov. Pritzker signed HB 3751 into law, but was hoping not to create "chaos."

"This was to help officers with shortages and give an opportunity to those working here legally for so long to apply," said Hernandez.

Dr. Wilson isn’t willing to wait to see if the new law puts more boots on the ground. He said he has spoken to attorneys and if the law is not repealed before taking effect on January 1, 2024, he’s prepared to take his fight to the courts.