McLean County Times

Illinois State Representative Tom Bennett recently addressed public safety elements regarding the Reimagine Illinois plan, a comprehensive platform introduced by House Republicans March 17.

The Reimagine Illinois has four main elements designed to end the "culture of corruption," enable growth for jobs and opportunities, ensure public safety and promote responsible fiscal leadership.

Bennet explained that the first step begins with ensuring enhanced training for officers and removing appointments based on partisan loyalty.

"We need to remove patronage from the process of law enforcement training and make sure that our law enforcement officials are prepared for their difficult careers," Bennett said.

Bennet also said additional measures would need to be taken to improve law enforcement officers' recruitment process.

"We need to implement a program to recruit and retain the best officers we can put on the streets because law enforcement requires our best and brightest to apply in order for our state to be protected," Bennet said.

Additionally, Bennet addressed the delays in the Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card application and renewal process.

"Law-abiding Illinoians should not have to run the risk of being in violation of the law just because a state agency is taking far too long to process their paperwork," Bennett said, "responsible gun owners shouldn't be left waiting at the mercy of a flawed system while criminals continue to flout the law."

Bennet also spoke of the need to study bail reform and the potential impact on crime in the state due to the changes made in recent years.

Bennett is the state representative for the 106th District and has served the areas of Livingston, Iroquois, Woodford, Vermillion and Ford counties since 2015.

Illinois House Republicans have a petition for Reimagine Illinois on their website for residents of the state to sign, stating, "Illinois House Republicans have reimagined an Illinois free of corruption and with responsible fiscal leadership; an Illinois where jobs are plentiful, and all our neighborhoods are safe."