Will County Gazette

Republican state Rep. Mark Batinick is speaking out this month against some of the provisions of the SAFE-T Act, which was passed last year in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. 

The SAFE-T Act is sweeping legislation that attempts to reform the criminal justice system. However, its critics, including Batinick, have said that it has the opposite effect. 

Batinick said in a Facebook post, "Ending cash bail is among the most irresponsible elements of Democrats' SAFE-T Act. We need to reinstate cash bail for violent criminals to keep Illinois communities safe."

SAFE-T Act supporters, including the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, describe it as an important step toward improving the justice system for minorities. As a result of the additional regulations it places on police officers, Republicans have referred to it as a de facto defunding of the police. According to critics, the SAFE-T will eliminate cash bail in Illinois on Jan. 1, 2023.

At a Center Square media briefing in April, several state's attorneys expressed concerns about the legislation. Cash bail is one of the biggest concerns for many. 

One state's attorney said about the legislation, “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 Republican Sen. Dale Fowler also raised concern that the bill will drive people away from pursuing a career in law enforcement. 

“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.

In a recent interview with the Center Square, Gov. JB Pritzker defended eliminating cash bail. 

"We do not want someone in jail because they were arrested for a low-level crime like shoplifting to be sitting in jail for months or maybe even years," Pritzker said. "At the same time, someone who is a wealthy drug dealer, perhaps accused of murder and arrested, can show up with a suitcase full of money and get out of jail."