McHenry Times

State Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) said in addition to the SAFE-T Act making communities less safe, it will also lead to higher taxes due to the loss of revenue from the elimination of cash bail.

 "The Democrats’ so-called “SAFE-T” Act (HB 3653) not only contains many controversial provisions that make our communities less safe, but now there is a push to raise taxes to make you foot the bill," Ugaste posted on Facebook. "The SAFE-T abolishes cash bail and makes it harder for those charged with serious crimes to be held pre-trial. Instead of the criminals paying to get out of jail, you will be paying more taxes to keep them on the streets. This sweeping legislation defunds, disarms, and disrespects our police and passes the tax burden on to you. Violent crime is up, police retirements are increasing, and our communities are less safe. House Republicans are leading the charge to repeal the so-called ‘SAFE-T Act’. Repeal the SAFE-T Act now!”

Many Republicans have been vocal in their opposition of the SAFE-T Act, a sweeping criminal justice reform package signed into law by Gov. Pritzker last year, Chicago City Wire reported. Several state's attorneys have filed lawsuits over the legislation. Many critics of the bill have spoken out against a provision that will eliminate cash bail in the state, effective Jan. 1.

Madison County Board member Erica Harriss, who is running for State Senate, wrote in an opinion piece for the Madison Record, "The state sponsored defunding of the police leaves local counties and municipalities with dire and unfair choices on whether to cut their law enforcement budgets and other safety services or, find new revenue to fund the police mandates through, you guessed it, new taxes."

Republicans are working to repeal the SAFE-T Act through HR 598. Citizens can sign a petition showing their support for the repeal.