ILFOP SURVEY House Bill 3653

ILFOP SURVEY House Bill 3653 was conducted by The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police. The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), founded over 100 years ago in 1915, is the largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers in the United States. With a proud tradition of officers representing officers, the FOP is also the most respected and most recognized police organization in the country. Additionally, the Illinois FOP is the second largest State Lodge, proudly representing over 33,000 active duty and retired police officers – more than 10 percent of all FOP members nationwide.

Internal Survey

In January of 2021, the Illinois State Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) conducted an internal survey of 1500 of its own members related to the recent passage of a huge 700+ page police reform (pro-criminal) bill and all the ramifications it brings to the law enforcement profession in Illinois. A total of 1,500 FOP members, all of them active law enforcement officers responded to the survey that sought their opinions on the House Bill. The survey shows that those in law enforcement overwhelmingly oppose the provisions of the legislation and feel it will have a large negative impact on both the profession and the citizens that officers serve and protect.

The survey results include:

83% Anticipate that law enforcement officers’ ability to respond will be diminished as a result of the legislation.
99% Feel the legislation will embolden criminals.
88% Think the “no cash bail” provision will adversely impact crime victims in their jurisdictions.
97% Feel physically or financially threatened by the provisions of the legislation.
66% Are considering retirement or early retirement because of the legislation.
46% Indicate they are actively looking to move out of state for other work, and of those 46 percent, four out of ten respondents believe they will be leaving law enforcement entirely.
97% Indicated the legislation will affect the way they, their families and friends will vote in future elections