Kendall County Times

The Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today Act (SAFE-T Act) is trying to reform the criminal justice system, including new standards of force used by police, but wanting to abolish cash bail – which caught Republicans' attention.

“Ending cash bail is among the most irresponsible elements of Democrats’ SAFE-T Act,” Rep. Mark Batinick wrote on Facebook. “We need to reinstate cash bail for violent criminals to keep Illinois communities safe.”

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. The SAFE-T Act will eliminate cash bail in Illinois, effective Jan. 1 2023, which critics claim will lead to more criminals out on the streets.

Multiple state’s attorneys expressed concern over the legislation at a media briefing in April, according to The Center Square. One of the biggest concerns for many is the elimination of cash bail.

One state’s attorney said, “With this new law, our hands will be tied. What sane citizen in this state of Illinois would want the state’s attorney’s hands tied, the police hands tied and give all the perks going to violent offenders? That’s what this law does.”

Sen. Dale Fowler said that some of the provisions regarding law enforcement are driving people away from the field.

“It’s been very frustrating to see our law enforcement officers retire early, some of our sheriffs retire early and our students not wanting to go into the law enforcement field,” Fowler said.

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.”