Champaign stabbing raises concerns over Illinois mental-health law

(The Center Square) – A state lawmaker who also serves as a police officer says the recent stabbing of non-police first responders in Champaign underscores his criticism of a new state law.

The Illinois Community Emergency Services and Support Act, signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker in 2021, limits police presence unless violence or criminal activity is anticipated. The law’s full implementation has faced repeated delays, with the deadline now pushed back to June 30, 2027, as the state conducts pilot tests in select 911 centers.