Sponsors and advocates say no-knock warrants create chaos, put lives at risk and often leave innocent people with trauma.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — State lawmakers could pass a plan in the final months of session to ban no-knock warrants in Illinois. The legislation is named in honor of Anjanette Young, a social worker who was handcuffed naked by Chicago police after officers executed a search warrant at the wrong address in 2019.

Sponsors and advocates say no-knock warrants create chaos, put lives at risk and often leave innocent people with trauma.

Young has stood alongside countless families following her traumatic experience and told lawmakers Monday that there is a troubling lack of care and accountability in how officers engage with children and families.

"Our communities deserve better, and this state has a chance to do better," Young said. "Accountability builds trust, trust builds safety and safety is what every single one of us deserves."

This plan would require police to execute warrants between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., but police could get an exception if there are verifiable pressing circumstances and the judge authorizes them to execute warrants at another time. 

Law enforcement could also be banned from pointing guns at children under 18 during raids unless they pose a danger to officers or other people. The bill states officers must have body cameras activated and the state could require paramedics or EMTs to be nearby in case medical assistance is needed.

"It strengthens knock and announce requirements by requiring officers to knock, announce themselves loud enough to be heard, wait a minimum of 30 seconds, and delay entry if they have reason to believe someone is approaching the door to let them in unless there is an objectively reasonable emergency threatening life or grave injury," said Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago).

The Illinois State Rifle Association supports the idea, as the organization said the consequences of no-knock warrants can be and have been deadly. Advocates said law-abiding gun owners are trained to protect their homes from this type of situation.

Yet, law enforcement and some moderate House Democrats oppose the ban.

"When an officer is working on duty, it doesn't matter if it's high level or low level," said Rep. Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar (D-Chicago). "If there is a danger there, that is what they're addressing."

House Bill 1611 has over 30 Democratic cosponsors at this time. The measure could be passed out of the House by the chamber's third reading deadline April 17.

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