Will County Gazette

In the wake of the shooting death of Sgt. Marlene Rittimanic of the Bradley Police Department, Rep. Jackie Haas (R-Kankakee) has introduced a group of bills designed to better protect police officers in the line of duty, but she feels House Democrats have been stalling in hearing the legislation.

According to the Associated Press on Dec. 29, Rittimanic, 49, and Officer Tyler Bailey were both shot during an altercation when responding to a noise complaint of a barking dog at a Comfort Inn parking lot. Darius Sullivan, 25, allegedly shot Bailey in the head after the officers knocked on the hotel room door. Sullivan then allegedly shot at Rittimanic and chased her down a hall, disarming her with the help of Xandria Harris.

Rittimanic was shot twice with her own gun despite the fact that she was pleading for her life, the report said. Rittimanic was remembered as a pillar of the community with many talents, and was also commended for her duties as a police officer, according to the Daily Journal.

Illinois State Police made two arrests: Sullivan and Harris, 26, who the Associated Press say are being charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder. Three other people were reportedly arrested. Sullivan was also charged with aggravated battery in Indiana on Dec. 31.

“While responding to a nuisance call about a barking dog, two police officers in Bradley were ambushed,” Haas said. “Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic lost her life and Officer Tyler Bailey was critically wounded in the line of duty. Losing an officer in the line of duty is always a tragedy, but the more we know about the story, the worse it gets. We have learned that the person who shot Sgt. Rittmanic and Officer Bailey is a habitual offender. He has been arrested over 20 times and charged over 40 times with various crimes over the past seven years. This is a hardened criminal who didn’t even blink when he made the decision to kill Sgt. Rittmanic while she pleaded for her life unarmed in front of him.”

Haas has criticized the House Democrats controlling the House Judiciary Criminal Committee, saying that they have refused to give the bills a fair hearing. She said the committee its currently meeting and the bills have been stalled.

“I can't even begin to tell you how disappointing that is,” Haas said, adding that the bills are in honor of Rittimanic and Bailey for their service and sacrifice. “This spring session is not over, and time and time again we have seen legislative House Democrats bend the rules to get their own priorities passed. These bills are my priority and the priority of a community still mourning the loss of Sergeant Marlene Rittmanic and still praying for the healing of Officer Bailey. Please, let's work together to make this a bipartisan victory for public safety.”

There are four bills being proposed, according to Haas' website. 

HB 4809 makes taking an officer’s body camera or any part of it obstruction of justice. 

HB 4808 clarifies a habitual misdemeanant, saying if a person has three or more pending charges for misdemeanor domestic battery, battery, an order of protection violation or criminal damage to property of a family or household member, the defendant is charged with a Class 4 felony.

HB 4684 extends time required to be brought to trial to 120 days, instead of the current 90, to make sure adequate time has been made to prepare the case. 

HB 4683 provides that the penalty for aggravated domestic battery is a Class X felony if someone committing domestic battery strangles someone. The sentence would be from six to 30 years.