SAFE-T Act

“It will have huge impacts and I just don’t think people realize what’s really coming,” Weis said. “It’s not a Republican or Democrat thing. The two state’s attorneys who filed first are Democrats, so I’m telling you this is not politics. It is something that truly needs to be addressed, and if it’s not addressed before Jan. 1, it will be almost impossible to fix.” #Safe-tAct

The PFA, legislation passed as part of Public Act 101-652, abolishes the use of cash bail in pretrial release decisions as of Jan. 1 and establishes new processes for pretrial release and detention decisions.

“With all the confusion surrounding the SAFE-T Act, it’s important that we make things as clear as possible,” said Joyce. “It is my hope that by clarifying items brought to me by my local State’s Attorneys and police, we will give law enforcement and the courts the tools they feel they need to keep people safe.” #SenatorPatrickJoyce

"So, when Kwame Raoul - after all of the conversation around this bill over the last three weeks - suggested “we may have to take a look at that… I asked myself - and I ask the people of the state to consider: why now? After almost two years, why is Kwame Raoul just now acknowledging we may have to look at this? Kwame Raoul had an obligation to all people in this state - including citizens accused of a crime - to make sure that our legislature doesn’t unlawfully impede their right under our system of justice." #TomDevore

“A vast majority of those arrested by the Orland Park Police Department due to violation of gun laws are convicted felons with prior arrests for unlawful use of a weapon,” said Rossi. “Many are found to be out on bond for similar charges. Unfortunately, we have grown accustomed to seeing our efforts wasted as offenders are released on little to no bond for their crimes.” “The upcoming SAFE-T act provision eliminating cash bond will only make matters worse, explained Rossi. “Our hope is to keep more illegally-possessed guns out of Orland Park by keeping the offenders who choose to bring them here in prison.” #OrlandPark

Since going into effect in January 2020, New York’s bail reform law has led to an unprecedented massive rise in crime, violent reoffenders, and accused criminals skipping trial. 

What does the future have in store for Illinois once cash bail is eliminated? The State of New York abolished cash bail for most nonviolent offenses in 2020. Since then, New York City has seen a massive spike in crime, while 20.1% of “felony arraignments” are rearrested, with 16.1% failing to appear at arraignment. This doesn’t bode well for Chicago which has already seen a 38% spike in crime since this time last year. #DonTracy

“We must not allow this law to stand as passed,” said Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau. “I can’t even begin to tell you how dangerous this act is.” The mayor listed a handful of provisions that will go into effect on January 1, 2023.

A new report uncovered dozens of criminals have reoffended, from armed robbery to murder, after a new provision of SAFE-T Act took effect in January that allows criminals on home confinement 48 hours of unmonitored movement to roam freely. #crime

Task force considers changes to qualified immunity for Illinois law enforcement officers (Springfield, IL) - A new state task force continued discussions Thursday as to what changes could be made to the way state law approaches qualified immunity for law enforcement officers.