No-knock warrant legislation brings Chicago victim, Illinois gun group
together
[April 07, 2026]
By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – A diverse group of supporters are pushing to
restrict no-knock search warrants in Illinois, but many law enforcement
groups are opposed to a bill up for consideration by state lawmakers.
State Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, told the Illinois House Judiciary -
Criminal Committee on Monday that House Bill 1611 is simple but
fundamental.
“When the government crosses the threshold of a person’s home,
especially with force, there must be clear rules, real safeguards and
accountability when something goes wrong,” Buckner said.
HB 1611 provides that no court shall issue a search warrant allowing
police officers to enter a residence without first knocking and
announcing their office, except in certain circumstances when it is
necessary to prevent physical injury. The measure would restrict
officers from handcuffing children or their caregivers, and it would ban
residential search warrants unless violent felonies are involved.
The city of Chicago settled a lawsuit with Anjanette Young for $2.9
million after Young was handcuffed while police searched her home in
2019, only to learn later they had the wrong address.
Young told the Illinois House Judiciary - Criminal Committee on Monday
there is lasting harm when people feel violated by those in power.
“It erodes trust, not just in law enforcement, but in government and in
justice and others,” Young said.
Young said government policy that avoids accountability does not make
for safe communities.
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The Illinois State Capitol is shown in Springfield. Photo: Greg
Bishop / The Center Square
“It makes for more fearful and unsafe systems for our officers, and
it undermines the many good officers who serve with integrity every
day,” Young said.
Ed Sullivan of the Illinois State Rifle Association expressed
support for HB 1611, also known as the Anjanette Young Act, and for
banning no-knock warrants.
“These warrants are dangerous. These warrants cause problems. These
warrants cause deaths,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan said no-knock warrants are banned in five states, including
Florida and Tennessee.
State Rep. Angie Guerrero-Cuellar, D-Chicago, expressed concern that
restricting search warrants to certain hours of the day would cause
issues for law enforcement trying to assemble tactical and backup
teams.
Guerrero-Cuellar suggested that rural agencies might be most
affected.
As of Monday, 20 witness slips were filed in support of HB 1611 and
51 were filed against it. Opponents include sheriff’s offices,
police departments and law enforcement associations.
Kevin Bessler contributed to this story.
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