Democrats, Republicans see changes to Illinois' SAFE-T Act
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[October 20, 2022]
By Kevin Bessler | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – The SAFE-T Act is
already law in Illinois, but the provision of ending cash bail on Jan. 1
is still causing concern for many.
Changes are reportedly in the works for the legislation to address
issues raised by law enforcement and prosecutors.
State Sen. Scott Bennett, D-Champaign, has introduced one measure which
broadens the net of who can be held behind bars before trial, from an
offender who poses a threat to a specific person to being a threat to an
individual or the community.
Proponents of the Pretrial Fairness Act worry that under such language,
there would be a presumption of detention rather than release.
“We need this clear guidance and we need these clear communication
channels," said Radhika Sharma-Gordon, manager of the advocacy group
Apna Ghar Inc. at a news conference this week. “This bill would,
unfortunately, jeopardize the safety of survivors.”
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During a panel discussion hosted by Stephanie Hood, a Republican
challenging state Rep. Terra Costa Howard, D-Lombard, for a House seat,
DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick said he is concerned about drug
addicts being released before treatment.
“All these things you never have access to, we’re providing, but come
the first of the year, that dries up,” said Mendrick. “Now instead we
are going to process someone as quick as possible, bond court them, and
then let them out while they are still what they call jonesing.”
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During a news conference Wednesday, Briana Payton from Chicago Community
Bond Fund said most suspects should be freed from custody until they are
proven guilty.
“Incarcerating somebody before they have been convicted of anything
should be limited to very specific circumstances,” said Payton. “It
should be a last resort, it should not be something that is done willy
nilly.”
House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, said as the law
stands now with the elimination of cash bail, those people will be
released.
“So we are going to have some very, very dangerous people, despite what
the Democrats think, will be walking the streets after the first of the
year based on a variety of these issues that are in the bill,” said
Durkin.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday that the law needs some work.
“We should amend it to make sure that state’s attorneys and Republicans
aren’t literally opening the jail doors on Jan. 1,” said Pritzker.
The bill most likely will be reviewed when lawmakers go into veto
session in November, the week after the election.
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.son Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
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