Metro East Sun

In a recent Facebook post, Illinois state Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) called attention to a new bill that would create the Armed Security Protection Act.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you one of the latest bills to be introduced in Springfield, what I like to call the 'We've Given Up, Hire Your Own Armed Guards' Act," he said in the post.

Also known as House Bill 1231, the legislation would require an increase in armed guard protection for local businesses, the Illinois General Assembly website said. It was proposed by state Rep. Thaddeus Jones (D-Calumet City), who represents the 29th District. The bill mandates that banks, grocery stores, gas stations and pawn shops in communities with more than 2,000,000 residents have at least one armed guard during all business hours. The act would be inoperable after June 30, 2027. It has currently been sent to the Rules Committee.

A recent Illinois Policy report brought focus to the increased costs the bill would create. HB 1231 would further impact business owners on top of the inflation and other costs currently affecting businesses. It also noted that Jones introduced the bill in the 102nd Assembly as well, but it failed to pass.

Plummer joined the General Assembly to represent the people of Illinois' 54th Senate District in 2019, his website biography said. Outside his legislative work, Plummer is the vice president of R.P. Lumber and R.P. Home and Harvest, family-owned and operated businesses with more than 100 locations throughout Illinois and six other states.