Lake County Gazette

Rep. Chris Bos (R-Lake Zurich) has requested the cancellation of the SAFE-T Act after a surge in violent crime since its passing.

The Illinois Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act eliminates cash bail by 2023, allows certain people accused of felonies to not have to be detained before trial, and imposes restrictions on Illinois police officers. Law enforcement groups and police unions stated that the SAFE-T Act poses a threat to pubic safety. Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx supported the legislation, according to the Injustice Watch.

“Today is the one-year anniversary of the majority party passing sweeping legislation on a bare minimum party-line vote at the 11th hour to defund police, make it harder to charge violent criminals and make it easier for violent criminals to get out on electronic monitoring, among many other things," Bos said. "Several Democrats even joined Republicans in voting against the bill recognizing its dangers. Violent crime is up, police retirements are increasing, and our communities are less safe. We need to repeal the so-called ‘SAFE-T Act.’ Support HR 598 – Repeal the SAFE-T Act now!”

There were 797 homicides in Chicago in 2021, which was more than New York or Los Angeles and the most the city has seen since 1996. The city saw 3,561 shooting incidents in 2021, which was 1,415 more than in 2019, according to ABC 7 Chicago.

During the first weekend of 2022, 6 people in Chicago were killed by gunfire and another 25 were wounded. Among the dead is a 12-year-old boy who was shot in the chest while sitting in an Englewood home. Other murder victims include a 22-year-old man who was found shot in the back in an alley, a woman who was found shot in the head in an alley, and a 40-year-old man who was shot in the face, according to Fox 32 Chicago.

Foxx has dropped all charges against 30% of felony defendants, according to Chicago City Wire.

Bos is a Republican representing Illinois' 51st District since Nov. 2020. Before serving in the House of Representatives, Bos served as trustee on the Ela Township Board.