PEORIA, IL – Continuing efforts to stand up for military veterans and their families, state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) recently helped pass legislation that would put stricter limitations on protestors who seek to disturb the funeral and memorial services of fallen military members.

“Thousands of young men and women put their lives on the line to protect our country every day and some of them do not come home,” said Gordon-Booth. “When families and friends are laying these heroes to rest, it is disgusting to see protestors using that moment to spew their distorted political views.”

House Bill 2916 strengthens laws that ban disorderly conduct at the funeral and memorial services of soldiers. Disorderly conduct can include: making disruptive noises, such as yelling, singing or chanting; displaying threatening visual images or words; and preventing another person’s entry or exit to the funeral site.

Under the current law protestors must be at least 300 feet away from the site of the funeral or memorial and they are prohibited from conducting protests 30 minutes before, during, and 30 minutes after the service. House Bill 2916 would require that all protests take place at least 1,000 feet away from the funeral. The bill also extends the time before and after service that protests are banned to one hour.

“This proposal helps protect the mourners of our heroes as they honor the life of their loved one,” said Gordon-Booth. “The family and friends of our servicemen and women should never be harassed as they are saying good-bye to our fallen heroes.”

House Bill 2916 passed the House of Representatives and now moves to the Senate for further consideration. For any additional questions, please contact Rep. Gordon-Booth’s constituent service office at (309) 681-1992.