| ||||
| Public Act 103-0036 | ||||
| ||||
| ||||
AN ACT concerning State government.
| ||||
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
| ||||
represented in the General Assembly:
| ||||
Section 5. The Department of Natural Resources | ||||
(Conservation) Law of the
Civil Administrative Code of | ||||
Illinois is amended by changing Section 805-535 as follows:
| ||||
(20 ILCS 805/805-535) (was 20 ILCS 805/63b2.2)
| ||||
Sec. 805-535. Conservation Police Officers. In addition to
| ||||
the arrest powers prescribed by law, Conservation
Police | ||||
Officers are conservators of the peace and as such have all | ||||
powers
possessed by policemen, except that they may exercise | ||||
those powers
anywhere
in this State. Conservation Police | ||||
Officers acting under the authority
of this Section are | ||||
considered employees of the Department and are subject
to its | ||||
direction, benefits, and legal protection.
| ||||
Any person hired by the Department of Natural Resources | ||||
after July 1, 2022
for a sworn law enforcement position or | ||||
position that has arrest authority
must meet the following | ||||
minimum professional standards:
| ||||
(1) At the time of hire, the person must be not less | ||||
than 21 years of age, or 20 years of age and have | ||||
successfully completed an associate's degree or 60 credit | ||||
hours at an accredited college or university. Any person | ||||
so hired after successful completion of an associate's | ||
degree or 60 credit hours at an accredited college or | ||
university shall not have power of arrest, nor shall he or | ||
she be permitted to carry firearms, until he or she | ||
reaches 21 years of age;
| ||
(2) The person must possess the skill level and | ||
demonstrate the ability
to
swim at a competency level | ||
approved by the Department in an administrative rule; and
| ||
(3) The person must successfully obtain certification | ||
pursuant to the Illinois Police Training Act and must also | ||
successfully complete the
Conservation
Police Academy | ||
training program, consisting of not less than 400 hours of
| ||
training, within
one year of hire.
| ||
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, all persons | ||
who meet one of the following requirements are deemed to have | ||
met the collegiate education requirements: | ||
(i) have been honorably discharged and who have been | ||
awarded a Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign | ||
Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign | ||
Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, or Global War on Terrorism | ||
Expeditionary Medal by the United States Armed Forces; | ||
(ii) are active members of the Illinois National Guard | ||
or a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces | ||
and who have been awarded a Southwest Asia Service Medal, | ||
Kosovo Campaign Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, | ||
Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, or Global | ||
War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal as a result of | ||
honorable service during deployment on active duty; | ||
(iii) have been honorably discharged and served in a | ||
combat mission by proof of hostile fire pay or imminent | ||
danger pay during deployment on active duty; or | ||
(iv) have at least 3 years of full active and | ||
continuous military duty and received an honorable | ||
discharge before hiring. | ||
The Department of Natural Resources must adopt an | ||
administrative rule
listing those disciplines that qualify as | ||
directly related areas of study.
| ||
(Source: P.A. 102-837, eff. 5-13-22.)
| ||
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon | ||
becoming law.
| ||