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HB 4256

CRIM CD-1ST RESPONDER ENDANGER

104th Regular Session Introduced by Mary Gill and 1 co-sponsor

Illinois bill establishing new criminal offense for actions that endanger first responders during emergency response duties.

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Bill Summary · HB 4256

Legislative bill overview

HB 4256 creates a new criminal offense in Illinois for endangering first responders. The bill appears to establish criminal liability for actions that place police officers, firefighters, paramedics, or other emergency personnel at serious risk of injury or death during the performance of their duties.

Why is this important

First responder safety is a significant public concern, with incidents of assault and endangerment against emergency personnel receiving increased attention. This bill would provide prosecutors with a specific legal tool to charge individuals who deliberately or recklessly endanger these workers, potentially offering enhanced protections beyond existing assault or obstruction statutes.

Potential points of contention

  • Definitional clarity: The bill's language regarding what constitutes "endangerment" and the required level of intent (deliberate vs. reckless) could be ambiguous, potentially leading to inconsistent application or charges for relatively minor incidents
  • Scope and sentencing: Without seeing specific penalty provisions, questions remain about sentencing ranges and whether this creates redundancy with existing assault or reckless conduct laws already on the books
  • Due process concerns: Advocates may argue that overly broad language could criminalize lawful conduct during police encounters or legitimate self-defense scenarios that inadvertently endanger responders

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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