Lake County Gazette

On April 27, Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Lake Zurich) took to Facebook to criticize 'radicals' who would politicize police funding.

"Radicals on the left have made law enforcement funding a political issue. In my opinion, the duties and protection of law enforcement are too important to politicize. I'll always back our heroes in blue," McConchie posted.

Among other measures, 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, according to Injustice Watch.

Some Illinois state's attorneys expressed concern over the legislation at a media briefing earlier this week, according to the Center Square. One of the biggest concerns for many is the elimination of cash bail, which will take effect on Jan. 1. One state's attorney said, "With this new law, our hands will be tied. What sane citizen in this state of Illinois would want the state's attorney's hands tied, the police hands tied, and give all the perks going to violent offenders. That's what this law does." 

State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) said that some of the provisions regarding law enforcement are driving people away from the field. "It's been very frustrating to see our law enforcement officers retire early, some of our sheriffs retire early, and our students not wanting to go into the law enforcement field," Fowler said.

The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, which pushed for the SAFE-T Act, released this statement earlier this year: “As usual with the Republican Party, any effort to make the justice system fairer for Black people is called ‘dangerous.’ With this law, we have worked directly with community organizations, legal rights advocates and law enforcement to make our justice system more effective and more just at the same time. That’s why the Illinois State Police and other law enforcement groups continue to work with us on this bill.”