Rockford Sun

Illinois state Rep. John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) has been appointed to the First Responders Suicide Task Force.

The newly created bipartisan panel is charged with studying the emotional health needs of police, fire and all other emergency response-level personnel.

“We need to make sure that the well-being of our first responders is taken care of, both on and off duty,” Cabello recently said in a press release. “First responders need more than just equipment and the technological resources to protect our community and stay safe on the job. They need to know that somebody has their back. That somebody should be their own colleagues, the leadership within each agency or department, public officials at the state and local level, and our community as a whole.”

With the passage of House Bill 2766 and the signature of Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the First Responders Suicide Task Force was created and members are slated to issue a final report by the end of next year.

“Together we can make sure that every first responder knows they are supported and has access to the peer resources they need,” Cabello said.

Other members of the task force include the director of the Illinois State Police or his designee; the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health or her designee; two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House; two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Minority Leader; two members of the Senate appointed by the Senate President; two members of the Senate appointed by the Minority Leader; two members who represent two different mental health organizations and members from organizations that advocate on behalf of police and sheriffs with the state police and a representative of the Chicago Fire Department.

Cabello has served in Springfield since 2012. His 68th District includes portions of Rockford, Loves Park, Machesney Park and Cherry Valley.