Lake County Gazette

State Rep. Martin McLaughlin, R-Lake Barrington, said this week that he has signed on to cosponsor multiple bills that would repeal the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act and restore cash bail.

McLaughlin and his Republican colleagues in Springfield have been railing against the SAFE-T act since its passage, Capitol News noted in a report, adding that supporters, including the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, maintain that the law is helping to ensure the justice system is fair for minorities. Meanwhile, the report also noted that state Republicans continue to maintain that it is little more than a back-door way to defund the police through increased regulations, prompting McLaughlin to take action. 

“Last week, I signed on to co-sponsor HB 4475, HB 4497, HB 4498, HB 4499 and HR598, bills calling for the repeal of the Safe-T Act and for the restoration of monetary bail,” he said in a Facebook post. “The SAFE-T Act will put the public and law enforcement officers at greater risk than ever before. That's why I, along with the state's attorneys in 100 out of 102 counties in Illinois oppose the Safe-T Act.”

Moreover, Democrats are starting to take exception with the SAFE-T Act, with Fox News reporting that Democrat State's Attorney Jim Rowe of Kankakee maintains that the criminal justice reform component of the bill amends the state’s constitution, something that can only be done by approval from voters. 

“The Safe-T Act has effectively violated this section of the Illinois Constitution without a referendum vote of the people,” Rowe said, according to Fox News. “The legislature does not have that power.”  

Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, told Fox News that much of the debate over the bill has centered on a provision that would cut cash bail. He also noted that while many opponents are currently using the Illinois Constitution to bolster their position, he offered a reminder that the death penalty also is in the state’s Constitution. 

Tracy Weaver, state’s attorney from Moultrie County, has filed a lawsuit regarding the elimination of cash bail, and Fox reported that she pointed out it undermines the safety of communities. She also urged residents to read the act and contact lawmakers as changes to the bill are considered, according to Fox. 

Among the vocal opposition to the law, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said during a campaign event last week that he would be open to making minor adjustments to the bill, according to a report by the Lake & McHenry County Scanner, which also noted Illinois could become the first state to eliminate cash bail if one portion of the bill is permitted to move forward. According to the report, Pritzker also maintains that opponents of the bill aren’t fully aware of its provisions and as a result are disseminating information that isn’t true. 

“The legislation is about providing tools and technology to police, making sure we are funding them, and making sure we keep the murderers, rapists, and domestic abusers in jail,” Pritzker said, according to the Scanner.