New bill may restrict Illinois police from using ‘no knock’ warrants

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — Illinois may prohibit police officers from using “no knock” warrants to enter the homes of suspects without announcing their presence first.

House Bill 1611, introduced by Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago), would prevent police from entering residences occupied by drug offenders unless there is evidence they are dealers.

The bill also restricts police from executing searches in the early morning or late evening, allowing them time between the hours of 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., unless authorized by a judge.

The law would require police to wait at least 30 seconds after knocking before entering a home.

The bill has the support of the Illinois State Rifle Association, which issued a statement Wednesday, saying, ”

There have been a number of cases where errors have been made, and the wrong homes have been targeted. And for any law-abiding gun owner, if someone is smashing through your door or window in the middle of the night, or early in the morning – your first instinct is to grab your firearm because you have reason to believe this is a home invasion. ‘No knock’”’ warrants place law enforcement and ordinary law-abiding citizens in grave danger.  Mistakes are made all the time – and sadly, innocent people have been killed because of them.”

The bill has passed out of the House Judiciary Criminal Law Committee.