|
The Safety, Accountability, Fairness, and Equity Today, or
SAFE-T Act, was approved by the General Assembly in 2021.
The bill makes several changes to the criminal justice system,
including the elimination of cash bail starting Jan. 1. The
measure faces a legal challenge from dozens of state's attorneys
and sheriffs from across the state.
State Rep. LaShawn Ford, D-Chicago, questioned Republicans'
ability to work with the Democrats on the measure.
"The SAFE-T Act is an example of the Republicans being negligent
in their oath of office by not negotiating honestly, and coming
to the table to represent," Ford told The Center Square.
State Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich, is calling for the removal
of the act all together and told The Center Square that
Democrats gave Republicans no chance to negotiate the measure.
"In a perfect world, it is a complete repeal," Neimerg said.
"This bill was passed at 4 a.m. in the Senate and at 6 or 7 a.m.
in the House. There was no debate allowed on this piece of
legislation."
Niemerg also questioned the legality of the measure.
"We are at a particular point in time where this will go into
effect on Jan. 1, and we have 100 out of 102 states attorneys
that are highly questioning this piece of legislation," Niemerg
said. "Furthermore, there have been many questions on the
constitutionality of this measure."
Ford said some changes are coming but didn't provide details.
"We have worked together to make sure we passed three trailer
bills," Ford said. "We are working on even more to make sure
that we improve the SAFE-T Act."
The bill also limits who can be arrested and jailed pending
trial depending on their crime.
Andrew Hensel has years of experience as a
reporter and pre-game host for the Joliet Slammers, and as a
producer for the Windy City Bulls. A graduate of Iowa Wesleyan
University and Illinois Media School, Andrew lives in the south
suburbs of Chicago.
|
|
