McHenry Times

Illinois Rep. Martin McLaughlin recently called out state Democrats’ lack of criminal justice reform efforts.

“Democrats promised a sweeping anti-crime package this session, but there’s been little said and even less done to produce that package,” McLaughlin wrote on Facebook. “We have 12 days left in the spring legislative session, the General Assembly must address rising crime to keep Illinois communities safe.”

Although the Illinois Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act was a historic legislative victory for community organizers and Black state lawmakers, it’s garnered controversy.

WGEM reported that House Republicans filed legislation that would repeal the SAFE-T Act that was passed last January. However, Democrats are unwilling to repeal the legislation and have accused GOP lawmakers of using “scare tactics” when discussing crime.

In turn, Illinois Republicans said Democrats defunded and demoralized police with the act.

“It’s interesting that those who did support this bill, who were all high-fiving and hugging each other last January, are now rolling up their sleeves and saying, ‘We gotta get to the bottom of the crime epidemic,” House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) said to WGEM. “Well, they’re a little late. They are late.”

The SAFE-T Act eliminates cash bail by 2023, allows certain people accused of felonies to not have to be detained before trial, and imposes restrictions on Illinois police officers. Injustice Watch reported that law enforcement groups and police unions said that the SAFE-T Act poses a threat to public safety.

The topic has sparked arguments since it went into law. Richard Wallace, the founder of Equity and Transformation, told Injustice Watch that he and other activists will continue supporting the act.

“There has been pushback on this bill since the day it was passed,” Wallace said to Injustice Watch. “Those voices aren’t going to go anywhere.”

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.