'It's very difficult...' Local law enforcement reacts to Illinois budget shortfall

'It's very difficult...'

Local law enforcement reacts to Illinois budget shortfall

Get very the course, it can get very expensive."

A budget shortfall puts law enforcement training in jeopardy in the state of illinois.

Good evening and thanks for joining us.

The "illinois law enforcement training and standards board" is facing a five million dollar deficit.

At five o'clock we told you that deficit is due in part to a new, illinois law.

It allows judges to waive traffic fines in court.

The new law also changed how those fines are allocated.

That means money going to local law enforcement for training is no longer there.

But that dosen't mean they just don't have to do the mandated training.

News 10 bureau chief gary brian caught up with one sheriff and tells us how he feels about the problem.

Pk} "residents in the state of illinois have been getting less traffic citations.

While that's good news for motorists...that's creating a shortfall in funds for law enforcement training."

The illinois law enforcement training and standards board helps to fund training for agencies across the state.

They do this by setting up mobile training units that teach officers.

"the training costs is partially funded by the state and we pay a membership and we can attend classes for free.

As long as we pay our membership."

The board is completely funded by traffic fines.

Recent changes in state law have put the training and standards board 5 million dollars in the hole.

Meaning agencies like the jasper county sheriff's office will have to start picking up the tab.

"the bulk of our training is from mtu classes.

Once an individual is a police officer, has been to their initial training, all additional training after that comes from our mobile training units."

The shortfall may cause some of those training units to close.

Meaning officers traveling further distances for the mandated courses.

"you're probably looking at lodging if it's more then a one day course.

So more expense to the county, more expense for the training, more expense for fuel, lodging, all that."

There have been 11 requirements added to training since 2016.

All state mandated.

Now all funded by agencies like the jasper county sheriff's office.

"it's very difficult that its mandated training but now theres very few places to take it, or its up to you to find your own place to take a course.

Which might be a four or five hour drive away....very difficult."

"the sheriff tells me the real impact of the shortfall may not be felt until the end of the year.

In jasper county, gary brian news 10."