Will County Gazette

Illinois Republicans are noting the SAFE-T Act is the reason a Chicago man who sparked a shootout that left an innocent woman dead has not been indicted on murder charges. Now, state Rep. David Welter is calling for the legislation to be repealed.

The Capital News Illinois reported that Travis Andrews, 26, fired his gun numerous times at a person who shot back at Andrews and in the process shot Melinda Crump, 54, in the abdomen.

Ultimately, Crump succumbed to her wounds. Under state law, Andrews could have been indicted on first-degree murder charges for initiating the shootout which caused Crump's death. However, because of a provision in the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act, Andrews was only indicted on weapons charges, since he did not directly cause Crump's death, according to Capital News Illinois.

“We need to repeal #Democrats failed SAFE-T Act immediately, before more tragedies occur!" Welter (R-Morris) posted on Facebook.

The Illinois SAFE-T Act, among other things, will bar cash bail by 2023 and lets a number of people “accused of felonies to not have to be detained before trial and imposes restrictions on Illinois police officer” with law enforcement groups stating that the act is a risk to the safety of the public, according to Injustice Watch.

WTTW reported that January marked the fourth deadliest January on record for the City of Chicago since 2000 “with 219 people shot, 48 people murdered, and 791 guns recovered.”

“Our officers and detectives have been relentless in the department’s steadfast efforts to bring justice to crime victims,” Police Superintendent David Brown said in a statement. “The Chicago Police Department is sending a clear message that we will not tolerate violence on our streets and hold accountable all those who engage in criminal acts.”