A blizzard of bills piles up annually in Springfield, with those making it through the legislative gauntlet signed into law. Most take effect the first of the year, which is the case with a measure to help police K-9s and their handlers.

As of Jan. 1, 2026, the Police K-9 Care Program and Police K-9 Care Fund legislation add Illinois to the growing number of states addressing the care of retired police dogs. The initiative, begun by the Illinois State Police Command Officers Association, aims to provide long-term veterinary care for K-9s no longer on the leash.

Lake County lawmaker Tom Weber of the 64th District backed the legislation when it was unanimously adopted in the Illinois House this spring.

“Police dogs dedicate their lives to protecting our communities, assisting in law enforcement operations, and ensuring public safety,” the Lake Villa Republican said in a statement. State Sen. Napoleon Harris III, D-Harvey, supported the bill in the Senate.

The new law recognizes the value and long-term medical responsibility owed to the dogs following their service, sort of like medical help at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, except it’s for canine first responders.

“This bill ensures that financial hurdles don’t prevent K-9 families from giving these officers the care they deserve,” Weber noted.

Under the act, administered by the Illinois State Police, handlers will be reimbursed for up to $1,500 in veterinary costs for their retired K-9s, which usually become members of their handlers’ families when they hang up their shield. Owners of aging dogs know that the amount may not cover veterinary care for them, but it’s a start to acknowledge what these animals have done for communities.

For handlers of retired K-9s, the costs of care fall onto them, even if medical needs are the result of injuries sustained while on duty. Certainly, that doesn’t seem fair to those highly trained animals and their handlers who have served with distinction. Surprisingly, that cost wasn’t taken into consideration when the K-9 corps began in earnest in the new millennium.

But like anything that comes out of the legislative hopper in Springfield, there is a catch. Funding will be supported by sales of special K-9 memorial license plates. To ensure the funding, at least 2,000 plate applications need to be submitted to the Secretary of State’s Office by Jan. 1, 2028.

“We will be advocating for people to support these retired K-9 officers to guarantee this fund becomes a reality,” Weber pledged. “I look forward to seeing many K-9 Memorial Plates on my way to the state capitol.”

Sounds like a good Christmas gift for dog lovers across the Land of Lincoln, or those who support the work of K-9 officers. That’s because daily K-9s and their handlers are on the job following intense training before taking the field.

Their mission: Protecting residents in all sorts of situations, from finding lost individuals, to drug investigations, to tracking criminals on the run from authorities. Indeed, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office has nearly a dozen police dogs, while several county communities have their own successful K-9 teams.

Lake County has one of the largest K-9 groups in Illinois. One of the Sheriff’s Office’s K-9 teams, German shepherd Danno and handler Deputy Andrew Martini, was one of seven qualifiers this fall for the annual Illinois Sheriff’s Association K9 Heroes Program.

The award for extraordinary commitment to service this year went to Xena, a six-year-old chocolate Labrador retriever with the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office. The 2024 award was presented to famed Lake County K-9 Dax and his handler, Deputy John Forlenza.

The German shepherd was injured in the line of duty and died in 2024. The ISA offers a special K-9 Dax plush likeness for $30, including shipping, from the group’s website. A portion of the sales goes to the Lake County sheriff’s K-9 teams, and it too would make another fine Christmas gift for dog lovers.

While over the years Dax garnered the dog’s share of notoriety battling crime, a North Chicago Police Department K-9, who retired in 2020, also suffered duty-related injuries after seven years on the beat with handler Sgt. Donald Florance. Yaku, a German shepherd, died at age 14 in late December 2024.

During his tour of duty, Yaku was deployed 36 times to track and apprehend suspects, assisted in the seizure of 37 guns, searched for drugs and helped in the seizure of $62,478 in cash.

Like any retired warriors, our K-9s deserve nurturing in their dotage and not a financial burden on their handlers. The K-9 Care Program begins that recognition.

Charles Selle is a former News-Sun reporter, political editor and editor. 

sellenews@gmail.com

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