St. Charles, IL – In the wake of anti-ICE demonstrations in the city of Chicago, State Representative Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) is once again calling for enhanced public safety measures to be enforced. During these events, busy downtown streets and public roadways are being blocked, putting innocent citizens in danger. Even though it did not occur yesterday, individuals who block roadways could also impact the ability of first responders to respond to emergencies, potentially causing delays and loss of life.
“The right to protest and the First Amendment are not the issue here, but when it comes to issues of public safety by intentionally blocking roads, we must hold people accountable,” stated Rep. Ugaste. “It’s time law enforcement is able to bring charges with stiffer penalties against the people who commit these acts. What happens when a fire truck can’t get through, or an ambulance is delayed? There are serious consequences to these actions. Lives could be at stake, and first responders cannot be held up in this manner.”
Ugaste filed HB 2357 this session, aimed at amending the Illinois Public Demonstrations Law. This bill creates stiffer penalties for individuals who block a busy public right-of-way for five minutes or more, or when these actions prevent the free passage of emergency responders. Individuals who engage in these actions would be subject to Class 4 felony charges.
The legislation includes language that prior notification to law enforcement of a protest or assembly that would result in delaying emergency responders is not a valid defense, and Class 4 felony charges would still apply. The bill defines “exceptionally busy public right-of-way.”