Attacking a worker who's enforcing mask rules is now aggravated battery in Illinois

[SheltieLover]

https://www.localmemphis.com/mobile/article/news/health/coronavirus/assaulting-a-worker-enforcing-mask-mandate-is-now-aggravated-battery-in-illinois/507-1405a4de-cdd4-43e7-b0ee-37bb13d8ecfd

The Illinois governor explained these workers are serving at the forefront of public health mitigation efforts in encouraging social distancing and face masks.

Author: TEGNA
Published: 1:59 PM CDT August 10, 2020
Updated: 1:59 PM CDT August 10, 2020

Anyone who assaults a worker who is enforcing a mask order or social distancing guidelines can now be charged with aggravated battery in Illinois.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the measure into law on Friday and it went into effect immediately.

"This provision sends the message that it’s vitally important for workers to be both respected and protected while serving on the front lines," the governor's office said in a statement.

More at link.

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[Ohiogal]

1. This should be in effect everywhere.

[SheltieLover]

2. Absolutely!

Should be a federal law, imho. But that would require leadership.

[blueinredohio]

13. Agreed 1000 percent!!!

[MustLoveBeagles]

21. Yes

[sop]

3. About time.

And not wearing a mask in public should be a finable offense; $100 for every offense seems about right.

[SheltieLover]

4. I agree!

And fine should double with each subsequent violation!

[Hoyt]

5. Glad, but you'd think that would always be the case when an employee enforces

lawful policies. Guess you gotta spell it out to the rubes.

[SheltieLover]

7. Yup!

Glad this is in place & effective immediately!

[Aristus]

11. Spell it out?

Sound it out, more like...

These are rubes, after all...

[malaise]

6. About time

Rec

[Midnight Writer]

8. Good deal. I have witnessed these spreaders having melt downs on store clerks many times.

I feel so bad for the workers, having to deal with nonsensical temper tantrums from some scary people.

It is not as if they are being paid what they are worth even in normal times.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

9. Good example for other governors and we hope they all follow suit.

Shouldn't be necessary but with millions of right-wing assholes in our nation, ya do what ya gotta do.


To Gov. Pritzker...........

[roamer65]

10. I assume aggravated battery is a felony in IL?

I would hope it is. These people need to lose their right to own firearms.

[ProfessorGAC]

22. Yes, It Is A Felony

Here's a paste from a law site in Chicago.

If the use of a deadly weapon is the aggravating factor, aggravated battery is a Class X felony which is punishable by 6 to 30 years in prison and fines of up to $25,000.

If the alleged victim was apart of law enforcement, a school teacher, or an emergency services worker, the minimum prison sentence increases to 15 years.

If injuries are the aggravating factor, this means you either caused great bodily harm to another person or you disfigured them. Aggravated battery in this circumstance is charged as a Class 3 felony, carrying a punishment of a 2 to 5 year prison sentence and a fine of up to $25,000.

If the victim was a police officer exercising his or her duties, this crime is charged as a Class 1 felony, punishable by 4 to 15 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.
If the victim was over the age of 60 years old in this circumstance, the offense becomes a Class 2 felony. It carries penalties of 3 to 7 years of imprisonment and up to $25,000 in fines.

[JimGinPA]

12. K&R

[Karadeniz]

14. Great idea!

[Blue_true]

15. Bravo. Other states should follow. nt

[tiptonic]

16. Haz Pay

They should be getting Hazard Duty pay. Especially where I live. God help us all.

[marble falls]

17. Common sense don't work, then a law with teeth works second best.

[noneof_theabove]

18. $100 what a joke

American Bio-Terrorist

Bury them under the Court House.

[dlk]

19. We're living in a parallel universe when basic public health/safety rules are controversial

Too many Americans have serious, untreated mental health issues. It’s the other epidemic.

[Cha]

20. KR!

[Hekate]

23. EXCELLENT