Meet the Freshmen: Rep. Dennis Tipsword
Rep. Dennis Tipsword (R-Metamora) in the House Chamber in Springfield.
With so many new members of the General Assembly this spring, we thought we should take some time to introduce you to some of the new faces in Springfield.
Dennis Tipsword has spent nearly all of his life in Metamora in Woodford County, just 20 minutes northeast of Peoria. The police officer and conservative freshman lawmaker wants to get things done, but knows there are plenty of hurdles for a guy like him in Springfield.
Tipsword, 51, has spent the last 16 years with the Woodford County Sheriff’s Office, rising to the rank of Chief Deputy, the second in command in the department. He remains an active duty office while serving in the Statehouse.
He admits passage of the SAFE-T Act, which was seen by many conservatives and those law enforcement as “anti-police,” helped propel him into a run for the House.
“That was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back,” he said. “It impacted our operation horribly. It was disgusting. This bill cost the taxpayers so much money that most of them don’t even know. It’s been a horrible couple of years.”
Tipsword says his office lost 14 of nearly 50 sworn officers in the months following passage of the criminal justice reform legislation that is currently held up in litigation.
But, Tipsword says, he supports reform to our criminal justice and policing systems.
“None of us in the profession are against change. We’re not against reform. We want to be more professional,” he said. “But, today [because of this bill], we are less professional. You can look across the state. Qualifications have been lowered. The idea that we’ve professionalized law enforcement with this Act is ludicrous.”
That leaves the toughest job for any Republican in Springfield who wants to accomplish anything: How do you get anything done when Democrats have a 38-seat majority in the House.
“I’m a very conservative guy,” Tipsword said. “You have to have your convictions, but you can’t die on that sword everyday. You have to be able to get along with others. I have no problem debating someone and disagreeing completely, and parting as mutual friends. But pounding your fist on the desk and saying it’s my way or the highway, that’s just not good governance.”
Tipsword and his wife have been married 28 years and have three adult children and five grandchildren with a sixth on the way.