McHenry Times

In Sen. Craig Wilcox's (R-McHenry) most recent Capitol Report, he offered his constituents an opportunity to speak out against the SAFE-T Act.

"Since you were shut out of the process when the bill was rammed through the General Assembly, I’m offering every Illinois resident an opportunity to weigh in now on this controversial bill, with hopes that we can convince Senate and House Democrats to repeal this dangerous legislation," Wilcox said. He included the link to a petition to repeal the law.

"The plain fact is, the no cash bail provision of the Act makes our communities less safe and is a slap in the face to victims of violent crime," Wilcox said.

Wilcox noted in his newsletter that the legislature’s only opportunity to repeal the SAFE-T Act is during the upcoming veto session, which will take place on Nov. 15, 16, 17, 29, and 30, and Dec. 1.

According to Capitol News Illinois, supporters of the 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.

Gov. J.B. 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.”

Radio station 97 ZOK ran a list circulating on the internet of offenses that allegedly 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.

However,  WFCN News reported that the Office of the Governor released graphics on Monday claiming that "there is no such thing as a non-detainable offense," and that defendents would be held "based on risk not riches."

The State Journal-Register reported that an Illinois judge could still decide if a person is a “risk of endangerment” for the community and needs to stay in prison.

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. 13% 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.

To learn more about the SAFE-T Act, visit the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority’s webpage.