Chicago City Wire

Illinois Republicans want to repeal the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act, arguing it defunds and demoralizes law enforcement.

“We must repeal the SAFE-T Act and give law enforcement the resources they need to fight rising crime across Illinois,” Rep. Brad Stephens (R-Rosemont) posted on Facebook on Thursday.

Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the act into law on Jan. 22, 2021.

In January of this year, House Republicans filed legislation that would repeal the SAFE-T Act but majority Democrats are unwilling and have accused GOP lawmakers of using “scare tactics” when discussing crime.

“It’s interesting that those who did support this bill, who were all high-fiving and hugging each other last January, are now rolling up their sleeves and saying, ‘We gotta get to the bottom of the crime epidemic.’ Well, they’re a little late,” House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) said to WGEM. “They are late.”

Among other measures, the SAFE-T Act eliminates cash bail by 2023, allows certain people accused of felonies to not be detained before trial, and imposes restrictions on police officers. Law enforcement groups and police unions stated that the SAFE-T Act poses a threat to public safety, according to Injustice Watch.

Republicans also argued the bill hinders police staffing.

“Part of funding the police means staffing police departments,” Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) said to WGEM. “The crisis that has been created in law enforcement because of this bill has made it very difficult to hire police officers in Chicago, in the suburbs, in downstate Illinois.”

The Legislative Black Caucus released a statement that said the SAFE-T Act made the justice system fairer for minorities. 

The caucus also said complaints from Republicans were premature.

“Many provisions of the SAFE-T Act have not even gone into effect yet," the Caucus said, "proving the Republican gambit is all for show.” 

SafeWise’s annual 2022 State of Safety survey found that only 42% of Illinois residents report feeling safe, while 64% reported feeling “high daily concern” for their safety. Thirteen percent of respondents reported experiencing gun violence firsthand, an increase from 8% the previous year. Mass shooting incidents in Illinois increased by 25% from 2020 to 2021.