Galesburg Reporter

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the Illinois Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today Act that sought to create criminal justice reform, such as law enforcement agencies reporting inmate deaths and ending cash bail.

“Many who attended or missed last night's SAFE-T town hall asked for the flyer my staff and I provided,” Sen. Jil Tracy wrote on Facebook.

Cash bail has become a heated talking point for GOP members in Congress. Many say ending bail will lead to more crimes, while innocent people who couldn’t afford bail sit in prison and jail.

Tracy hosted a forum on Oct. 18 that focused on the SAFE-T Act. Panelists at the event included Tracy, Adams County State’s Attorney Gary Farha, Assistant State’s Attorney Todd Eyler, Quincy Police Chief Adam Yates and Brown County Sheriff Justin Oliver.

The State-Journal Register noted that a judge still has the power to keep people charged with a “forcible felony offense” like treason, robbery and threat of violence against any individual, to name a few.

In a Sept. 19 Facebook post, Tracy criticized the SAFE-T Act and called for changes. "Many have asked about the So called Safe-T-Act that takes effect Jan. 1, 2023," Tracy said in the post. "This article explains why I, along with so many law enforcement members, are so opposed and seek major changes to the bill prior to its taking effect." The article mentioned, published by Capitol News Illinois, notes that "Republicans and state’s attorneys have continued to fight for changes to the law, up to a full repeal, arguing that while the intent may be to empower judges to detain more dangerous individuals, the bill as written is too limiting."

Rehabilitation Enables Dreams wrote that while bail maintains the “innocent until proven guilty” ideal, it’s been abused. It noted that bail abuse is clogging jails when there is already little room.

It mentioned the story of 16-year-old Kalief Browder got falsely accused of stealing a book bag and sent to Rikers Island, a violent prison known for inmate abuse. Although he received bail, he nor his family could afford it, and Browder stayed for three years for the court’s ruling — getting beaten by guards and inmates.

Kankakee and Will County State's Attorneys have filed lawsuits over the elimination of cash bail in the SAFE-T Act, saying that without asking voters to weigh in, the law violates the state's constitution.