Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has placed billboards in Greater Chicago offers police officers a $5,000 sign-on bonus. On Sept. 14, 2023, DeSantis’ office released an announcement about the billboards to recruit out-of-state officers. While the Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment Program is designed for all law enforcement officers across America, the statement singles out Illinois and Chicago specifically.
The Florida Governor mentions Chicago’s high crime rate in the first sentence of his announcement. In the next paragraph he cites how Illinois now has a new law allowing “foreign nationals…to become police officers.” Next, DeSantis’ administration disses on Governor Pritzker’s decision to eliminate the state’s cash bail system. Accusing Illinois of “allowing dangerous criminals back into communities.”
DeSantis’ Contrary to Illinois Laws
In opposition to ” historic law-and-order legislation” DeSantis has signed over the past few years. One such order is the Sunshine State’s HB 1627 legislation. A law that:
- Compels the states supreme court to develop a uniform statewide bond schedule before the end of the year.
- Stops Florida’s judicial circuit’s chief judges “from setting a lower bond amount for a criminal offense than the uniform statewide bond schedule.”
- Gives the forementioned judges permission to ” set a higher bond amount for a criminal offense than the uniform statewide bond schedule.”
- Prohibits individuals arrested for a especially violent or heinous crime from being released before appearing in court.
- Allows courts to revoke pretrial releases and to detain a defendant on pretrial who violates conditions of release.
- Places trafficking fentanyl, operating a motorized vessel/vehicle while intoxicated, extortion, and written threats to murder on the “dangerous crimes” list.
- Denies courts from allowing “nonmonetary pretrial release” before seeing a judge if the person was arrested for a dangerous crime. Especially, if there is probable cause the suspect committed the crime.
- Demands courts/state attorney’s to file a pretrial detention motion if a suspect is detained for a dangerous crime that falls under a capital, life, or first-degree felony. Particularly if it is believe the person committed the crime.
- Requires a pretrial detention for anyone detained for a dangerous crime that is deemed to be a substantial probability the suspect committed the act. Furthermore, those charges automatically deny a person from being released (even on bail) in order to protect the community.
- And authorizes any party to motion for reconsideration of pretrial detention if an alleged criminal is granted pretrial release and then new information comes to light suggesting pretrial detention is warranted.
DeSantis’ Recruitment Plan
The Florida Governor stated the state fully supports its law enforcement teams. Additionally, DeSantis stated that Florida stand behind its “citizen” law enforcers. In contrast of other states who allow “non-citizens” to wear a badge.
Then the Florida Governor accused the other states of enacting “policies that favor criminals over victims.” DeSantis stated his state provides all the tools need for an officer to succeed both personally and professionally. Moreover, he accused other states of working to “defund the police” behind closed doors and publicly.
Florida’s Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment Program
Additionally, the $5,000 after taxes sign-on bonus is a one time payment to anyone eligible to become an officer. However, this offer only applies to those newly employed in the state.
Currently, Florida has had over 2,700 recruits join them. This number includes 750 officers from 48 U.S. states and two American territories. Additionally, 37 of those newly employed cam from Illinois.
No Surprise There
DeSantis’ latest attack on Pritzker comes as no surprise. In fact, it is no secret the Floridian has taken several jabs at the way the Illinois Governor runs the state. Nor is it a secret about how DeSantis feels about migrants with his history of placing so many stipulation on them.
Pritzker rebutted the Florida recruitment plan saying the Sunshine State’s gun laws make it more dangerous for a police officers. Not to mention relocating “guarantees a lower average wage for police officers statewide compared to Illinois.”
Additionally, DeSantis’ recent culture wars has created danger for anyone caught in the crosshairs. This includes “women, immigrants, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.” Moreover, those officers relocating their families to Florida risk giving their “children a lower-quality education.”
Recently, DeSantis has been in the news defending the education reform in Florida’s schools. One “that repaints history with racist dog whistles,” described Pritzker.
By Sheena Robertson
Sources:
NBC 5 Chicago: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis launches billboards in Chicago area offering $5,000 signing bonus to Illinois police officers who relocate
Florida.gov: Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Third Consecutive Anti-Crime, Pro-Public Safety Legislative Package
Herald Review: Florida governor offers $5K bonus to Chicago police who move to the Sunshine State
Florida.gov: Governor Ron DeSantis Recruits Illinois Law Enforcement Officers Through Bonus Program
Featured Image Courtesy of Gage Skidmore‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Gage Skidmore‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
