Springfield - Two new measures were recently signed into law to provide greater support for law enforcement agencies to hire and retain officers. Both laws were spearheaded by State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago).

“I am proud to see these new laws provide additional support to recruit the next generation of police officers,” Martwick said. “We are working to address the practical concerns of law enforcement agencies across the state.”

One new law, formerly known as House Bill 3863, will create the Law Enforcement Recruitment and Retention Fund and will aim to increase police officer retention and recruitment.  The fund will award grants for the purposes of hiring and retaining law enforcement officers.

Another law, formerly known as House Bill 1568, will also permit all law enforcement officers and parole agents who are honorably retiring in good standing to purchase their service badge and their former service firearm if they have a valid FOID card. The new law also lowers the retirement age for eligible employees from 60 to 55. The laws were part of a package advocated for by law enforcement agencies.

House Bill 3863 was signed into law on Tuesday and House Bill 1568 was signed into law Friday and both take effect immediately.