Florida law enforcement recruitment efforts reaching Illinois

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Turns out, the state of Florida is reaching westward to Chicago, in search of police officers.

In the midst of an election year, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a new billboard campaign to recruit law enforcement from Illinois through a bonus program, referencing Chicago as an area where he says, "crime rates are soaring."

The governor's office said the campaign is in response to recent changes in Illinois. Namely, the announcement some non-citizens can work as police, so long as they are both legally authorized to work and carry a firearm. In addition to, the move to eliminate the state's cash bail system.

"We stand behind our citizen officers, and we give them the tools to succeed professionally and personally. Other states deputize non-citizens, enact policies that favor criminals over victims, and work to overtly or covertly defund the police, but not in Florida. I look forward to welcoming the Illinois men and women in blue to the law-and-order state," the news release said.