Sheehan Criticizes Bill Restricting Hiring of Former Federal Immigration Officers (Homer Glen, IL) – State Rep. Patrick Sheehan, R-Homer Glen, is pushing back against a newly filed Senate bill that would bar Illinois law enforcement agencies from hiring certain former federal immigration officers, calling the proposal discriminatory and harmful during a time of staffing shortages.
The legislation, Senate Bill 2820, was introduced during the first week of the Illinois Senate’s spring session by Sen. Laura Fine, D-Glenview. The bill would prohibit state and local law enforcement agencies from hiring anyone who worked as a federal immigration officer with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement between Jan. 20, 2025, and Jan. 20, 2029 — the current presidential term.
Supporters of the bill have not yet publicly outlined its full rationale, but critics argue it unfairly targets officers based solely on when and where they were employed.
Sheehan, who also works as a suburban law enforcement officer, said the proposal comes at the worst possible time.
“For Democrats to put a red mark on law enforcement officers in the midst of a recruitment and retention crisis in Illinois is the height of hypocrisy,” Sheehan said. “Law enforcement officers should not be punished over lawful federal employment enforcing immigration.”
Illinois police departments, like many across the country, have struggled in recent years to fill open positions, citing retirements, burnout and declining interest in the profession.
Sheehan said the bill goes beyond workforce concerns and raises serious legal and constitutional questions.
“This bill is discriminatory, an attack on due process rights, and paints all law enforcement officials with a broad brush that has never been allowed before,” he said. “I strongly feel we should question the constitutionality of this bill.”
Senate Bill 2820 has been assigned to committee but has not yet received a hearing date. If approved by the legislature and signed into law, it would apply to all law enforcement agencies in Illinois, including local police departments, sheriff’s offices and state agencies.
Sheehan represents the 37th District in the Illinois House, which includes parts of Will County and surrounding suburbs.
Sheehan Criticizes Bill Restricting Hiring of Former Federal Immigration Officers
