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The controversial justice reform package eliminates cash bail on
Jan. 1, making Illinois the first state to do so.
The legislation has been criticized by many, including dozens of
state’s attorneys around Illinois who have filed lawsuits to
have the SAFE-T Act thrown out.
Before the election, Democrats promised to take up the
legislation during fall veto session, but have vowed not to make
major changes to the bill.
“Our opponents tried to use misinformation and fearmongering to
scare voters, but the reality is that people from around
Illinois understand the inequity and arbitrariness of weighing
on wealth instead of evidence when deciding to lock people up
pretrial,” state Sen. Robert Peters, D-Chicago, said at a rally
outside the state capitol.
Not only have state’s attorneys and law enforcement officials
spoken out against the SAFE-T Act, but mayors and county boards
have gone on record blasting the legislation. Tinley Park Mayor
Michael Glotz said the legislation sets a dangerous precedent
for public safety.
“It’s real and it's coming,” Glotz said during a recent news
conference. “The name of this act is an absolute joke, because
the only people it keeps safe are the multitudes of criminals it
protects.”
The consolidated lawsuit against the SAFE-T Act, which was
combined from 58 separate lawsuits filed around the state, will
be heard in Kankakee County with opening arguments scheduled for
Dec. 7.
The lawsuits allege the state legislature violated the state’s
constitution in the manner the act was presented and approved.
State’s attorneys are asking the court to declare the act
unconstitutional.
Bond County State’s Attorney Dora Mann said in a statement “the
implementation of the SAFE-T Act, as currently enacted, will
have a detrimental and immediate impact on our ability to ensure
public safety.”
A ruling on the lawsuits could come as early as Dec. 15.
Kevin Bessler reports on statewide issues in
Illinois for the Center Square. He has over 30 years of
experience in radio news reporting throughout the Midwest.
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