(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- When the state held its annual police memorial ceremony Thursday, it was a constitutional officer with no connection to the deceased whose words moved the crowd to applause.
“While I will say thank you, and God bless you and keep you safe,” said comptroller Susana Mendoza, “rather than words, I think we as elected officials need to do more to stand up for our men and women in law enforcement; to speak up for our men and women in law enforcement.”
Illinois’ criminal justice legislation of the past few years has been criticized by superminority Republicans and many in the police community as being pro-criminal and anti-cop.
Eleven more names will be added to the police memorial on the Capitol’s southwest lawn, normally the site of the ceremony the first Thursday of every May. Rain moved the proceedings into the Illinois State Library.
Eleven Illinois police officers died in the line of duty in 2021 and were honored Thursday.