McHenry Times

State Rep. Martin McLaughlin, a Republican from Lake Barrington, said this week he is signed on to cosponsor multiple bills that would repeal the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act and restore cash bail.

McLaughlin and his GOP colleagues in Springfield have been railing against the SAFE-T act since its passage, Capitol News noted in a report, adding that supporters, including the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, maintain that the law is helping to ensure the justice system is fair for minorities. Meanwhile, the report also noted that state Republicans continue to maintain that it is little more than a back-door way to defund the police through increased regulations, prompting McLaughlin to take action. 

“Last week, I signed on to co-sponsor HB 4475, HB 4497, HB 4498, HB 4499 and HR598, bills calling for the repeal of the Safe-T Act and for the restoration of monetary bail,” he said in a Facebook post. “The SAFE-T Act will put the public and law enforcement officers at greater risk than ever before. That's why I, along with the state's attorneys in 100 out of 102 counties in Illinois oppose the Safe-T Act.”

Democrats are starting to voice some displeasure with the SAFE-T Act, with Fox News reporting that Democrat State's Attorney Jim Rowe of Kankakee maintains that the criminal justice reform component of the bill amends the state’s constitution, something that can only be done by approval from voters. 

“The Safe-T Act has effectively violated this section of the Illinois Constitution without a referendum vote of the people,” Rowe said, according to Fox News. “The legislature does not have that power.” 

Rep. Kam Buckner, a Chicago Democrat, told Fox News debate over the bill has focused on a provision that would cut cash bail. He also noted that while many opponents are currently using the Illinois Constitution to bolster their position, he offered a reminder that the death penalty also is in the state’s Constitution. 

McHenry County State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally has filed a lawsuit over the bill, with Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul named as defendants, according to the Lake & McHenry Scanner. The lawsuit, according to the report, claims the bill was passed with the intent to mute any transparency or deliberation. 

During a campaign stop last week, Pritzker said he would be open to making minor adjustments to the bill, according to a report by the Scanner, which also noted Illinois could become the first state to eliminate cash bail if one portion of the bill is permitted to move forward. The Scanner also reported that Pritzker maintains that opponents of the bill aren’t informed of its provisions and as a result are disseminating false information. 

“The legislation is about providing tools and technology to police, making sure we are funding them, and making sure we keep the murderers, rapists, and domestic abusers in jail,” Pritzker said, according to the Scanner.