Springfield, IL – Recently enacted legislation establishing the “Let
Them Rest in Peace Act” will discourage disruptive and antagonistic
picketing outside of military funerals in Illinois.
State Senator Dan Rutherford (R-Pontiac) was a co-sponsor of the
measure, which prohibits loud and inflammatory protests within 200 feet
of all Illinois funeral services beginning 30 minutes before a funeral
begins and extending until 30 minutes after the funeral concludes.
“Unfortunately, there have been incidents across the country
where a group from Kansas has gathered to picket the funeral services
of United States soldiers killed overseas. It’s hard to imagine that
anyone would disrupt any family trying to bury a loved ones, but it
happened in Illinois, and throughout the country,” said Rutherford.
The new law went into effect immediately upon receiving the Governor’s signature.