JEFFERSON COUNTY, IL — When the recently signed criminal justice reform bill first became a topic of discussion, the Jefferson County Sheriff began drafting some protection for his employees regarding qualified immunity. The ‘Back the Blue’ Ordinance was crafted by Sheriff Jeff Bullard and although the qualified immunity portion was taken out of the new version of the bill that was signed this week, he wanted to be proactive for future changes.

Sheriff Bullard says the original version of House bill 3653 eliminated built-in protection for law enforcement from frivolous lawsuits and would cause a mass exodus if it stayed like the original.

Sheriff Bullard gave an example of a situation where qualified immunity might come into play for a police officer.

The Jefferson County Board passed the ordinance by a vote of 10-2. Those who voted against the bill cited that qualified immunity already exists but Sheriff Bullard commented that this is an insurance policy going forward.