Sangamon Sun

Six months after the full implementation of the cashless bail, and other provisions, of the Illinois SAFE-T Act, Illinois residents are finding themselves anything but safe. House Republicans warned against the passage of the SAFE-T Act because of problematic provisions in the law that make the work of law enforcement officials harder to do and because the law will make our communities less safe. The concerns raised by House Republicans have been echoed by State Representative John Cabello, who stated, "It’s ridiculous that public safety is not a priority for those on the other side of the isle. Our law enforcement officers need the support, tools, and resources to protect our communities from criminals who think they are above the law."

State Representative Cabello further highlighted the troubling trend in Illinois where criminals seem to be treated better than law-abiding citizens. He emphasized, "There is a concerning trend we see here in Illinois where criminals are treated better than law-abiding citizens and as leaders, we cannot continue to jeopardize the safety of our communities."

The concerns expressed by House Republican legislators about the SAFE-T Act have been reinforced by various headlines that have emerged since the full implementation of the law. The reports indicate a worrying pattern where individuals commit crimes, are released shortly after, and then reoffend while awaiting their court date.

As the debate continues, the House Republican Public Safety Working Group is actively working on solutions to enhance public safety for Illinois residents amidst the challenges posed by the Illinois SAFE-T Act. In the midst of this ongoing discussion, Rep. Coffey recently hosted a Public Safety Roundtable with Local Law Enforcement Officials to address the growing concerns surrounding public safety in the state.

The implementation of the Illinois SAFE-T Act has raised significant apprehensions about the diminishing public safety in the state, prompting a call for action to ensure the accountability of perpetrators and the protection of communities from criminal activities.