​Governor signs new laws to help protect the physical and mental health of first responders

Posted on August 13, 2021
Gov. Pritzker signed the package of bills on Thursday in Springfield. (Twitter/Governor JB Pritzker)

By IIS Radio

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker signed a package of new laws Thursday to help protect the mental health and physical wellbeing of first responders in Illinois.

The measures address the ongoing problem of drivers not paying attention when approaching a vehicle with flashing lights on the side of the road by clarifying current law says Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly.

“It’s not move over or slow down, it’s slow down and move over,” said Kelly. “Just because you’ve moved over because you saw a first responder on the side of the road doesn’t mean you get to drive like a bat out of hell in the lane you moved over to.”

Another provision sets up an online resource for first responders with information about depression, suicide prevention, and substance abuse.

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