Chicago City Wire

In an effort to make Illinois safer, Republican State Rep. Brad Stephens is supporting the repeal of the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act.

According to Injustice Watch, the SAFE-T Act would eliminate cash by next year, permit some individuals facing felony charges to avoid being in jail before trial and places restrictions on police. Stephens took to social media to endorse repealing the law. The organization also noted that police unions and law enforcement groups have voiced their opposition to the law. 

“Every Illinois family deserves a neighborhood free of violence,” the legislator said on Facebook. “House Republicans have introduced a full repeal of the SAFE-T Act, improvements to the FOID application process, the reinstatement of cash bail for violent crimes, and bills aimed at stopping organized crime and theft rings.” 

According to Center Square, the law was the target of a number of state’s attorneys during an April briefing, especially the provision that eliminates cash bail on Jan 1, 2023, with one state’s attorney noting it would restrict them.  State Sen. Dale Fowler, R-Harrisburg, also told Center Square the law is driving some law enforcement veterans toward retirement. 

However, Capitol News noted the SAFE-T Act has its supporters, including the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, which maintains it is a step in the right direction, leveling the justice system’s playing field for minorities. 

The Chicago Sun-Times reported that a controversial provision of the SAFE-T act allows defendants awaiting trial under home monitoring to move about freely two days a week to look for a job, visit a physician or get groceries. However, the newspaper noted a number of individuals have been arrested on their “essential movement” days, making some wonder if that provision should be clarified. 

Safe Wise also noted in its 2022 State of Safety report that just 42% of state residents say they feel safe, with 64% reporting that they often feel “high daily concern.” The report also noted that 13% have experienced gun violence themselves, up from 8% in 2021, and that mass shooting incidents jumped by 25% from 2020 to 2021.