Will County Gazette

State Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) has called for the repeal of the SAFE-T Act in the interest of public safety.

“The SAFE-T Act needs to be repealed today to ensure the safety of our residents,” he said on Facebook. “It’s time for the legislature to work together with law enforcement experts to reduce crime in Illinois and make our state the best place to live, learn, work, and grow.” 

Supporters of the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act — including the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus — view the legislation as a step toward making the justice system more equitable for minorities, capitolnewsillinoise.com reports. Republicans have called the SAFE-T Act a “de facto defund the police bill" because of the additional regulations it places on police officers. 

The Act lacks support among state’s attorneys, with 100 of Illinois’ 102 state's attorneys saying they oppose the SAFE-T Act, CBN News reported. 

Will County State’s Attorney Jim Glasgow is suing over the bill, naming Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Attorney General Kwame Raoul, House Speaker Emanual Christopher Welch, and Senate President Don Harmon as defendants, WJOL reported. 

“It is my sworn duty as Will County’s State’s Attorney to protect the people of Will County and the State of Illinois,” Glasgow said in a release. “To put it in plain and simple terms, this is not about politics; it is about public safety. Sadly, I have received veiled threats over my opposition to this legislation, but I must put the safety of my constituents first.” 

Pritzker said last week during a campaign stop that he is open to considering small changes to the bill, the Lake & McHenry County Scanner reported.

"Well again, I am willing to consider tweaks to the legislation,” he said, adding that some people don't understand the bill and are spreading misinformation about it. “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.” 

Illinois will be the first state in the country to eliminate cash bail if the provision goes into effect.