McHenry Times

The SAFE-T Act continues to be a hot topic for Illinois candidates and elected officials. Signed into law in January of 2021 by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, the criminal justice reform bill has received major pushback from law enforcement, state’s attorneys and state representatives. 

The SAFE-T Act was written with intentions to promote equitable due process among other things during the course of Illinois’ criminal justice process. Those who oppose the SAFE-T Act argue that it restricts the tools necessary for law enforcement to properly do their jobs and the requirements stipulated, such as body cameras, may cause significant financial strain for many police departments. Illinois State Sen. Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry) opposes the legislation. 

As of Jan. 1, the following offenses will be considered "non-detainable": Arson, burglary, aggravated battery, aggravated DUI, aggravated fleeing, drug-induced homicide, intimidation, kidnapping, robbery, threatening a public official and second-degree murder, according to 97 ZOK. People who are charged with those crimes will be released without bail.

Pritzker recently defended the elimination of cash bail, according to The Center Square. 

"We do not want someone in jail because they were arrested for a low-level crime like shoplifting to be sitting in jail for months or maybe even years," Pritzker said. "At the same time, someone who is a wealthy drug dealer, perhaps accused of murder and arrested, can show up with a suitcase full of money and get out of jail."

Wilcox recently weighed in on the issue.

“The Democrats’ passage of the SAFE-T Act has made our communities less safe, and I’m calling for a full repeal of this dangerous policy,” Wilcox said. “The provisions Democrats are now forcing on every Illinois community have been a massive failure in the City of Chicago. Violent crime is way up. Criminals are more emboldened because they know their crimes will be met with a mere slap on the wrist. Law enforcement officers are leaving the profession in droves because anti-police policies make them less safe on the job. Departments can’t fill vacancies because those who would consider a career in law enforcement know Illinois Democrats favor the rights of the accused over the rights of victims and the safety of officers.”

He also said that the SAFE-T Act must be repealed.

“As long as Illinoisans continue to elect far-left extremists, dangerous policies like the SAFE-T Act will continue to become law in this state, and our families’ safety will continue to be threatened,” Wilcox said. “We must repeal the SAFE-T Act and enact criminal justice reform that holds criminals accountable, protects victims' rights, and treats our sworn officers with the respect and safety precautions they deserve.”

Capitol News Illinois reports that supporters of the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act, including the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, point to the legislation as a step toward making the justice system more equitable for minorities. Republicans have called the SAFE-T Act a “de facto defund the police bill" because of the additional regulations it places on police officers.

One provision of the SAFE-T Act that took effect in January of this year allows criminal defendants who are awaiting trial on home confinement to move freely, without electronic monitoring, two days a week, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The defendants are supposed to use that time to look for employment, attend school, undergo treatment for a drug addiction or mental illness, or grocery shop. However, in the first three months of 2022, around two dozen people were arrested in Cook County during their "essential movement" days. Democrat Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart has called for an end to the "essential movement" provision, stating, “At a bare minimum, they should say, ‘If you’re charged with a violent offense, and you’re given home monitoring, you don’t get to wander around free for two days a week.'"

SafeWise's annual 2022 State of Safety survey found that only 42% of Illinois residents report feeling safe, while 64% reported feeling "high daily concern" for their safety. Thirteen percent of respondents reported experiencing gun violence firsthand, an increase from 8% the previous year. Mass shooting incidents in Illinois increased by 25% from 2020 to 2021.

Wilcox has served as a state senator since 2018 and is currently serving as minority spokesperson for the Veterans Affairs and Local Government Committees, and as a member of the Energy and Public Utilities, Financial Institutions, Human Rights, Labor, State Government and Transportation Committees.