Galesburg Reporter

Sen. Win Stoller shared the concerns of auto dealers over the potential consequences of the SAFE-T Act in an April 13 Facebook post from his visit to an industry meeting.

"Honored to join a bicameral panel of state legislators at the Peoria Metro New Car Dealers Association legislative meeting," he wrote on Facebook. "Concerns over auto thefts and dealership-related crime emphasize the negative ramifications of the SAFE-T Act — this bad legislation not only impacts law enforcement officers and families but also our retailers and auto dealers on a day-to-day basis. Thank you for the invitation and the opportunity to discuss how Illinois policy and budget decisions impact your industry."

Republicans such as Stoller (R-37) argue that The Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today Act (SAFE-T) will create non-detainable offenses, such as aggravated battery, burglary, robbery, and others. A report by Central Illinois Proud stated that if the elimination of cash bail does not prove useful to the state, legislators can file legislation to reinstate it. "The SAFE-T Act does not create any 'non-detainable offenses,' the report read. Illinois law has no such thing. Certain crimes, including forcible felonies, stalking, and domestic abuse, will lead a judge to revoke pretrial release; meaning, they will not be released after arrest. This is outlined in the act’s section 110-6.1.a. Some of the crimes listed in the graphic will lead to revocation of pretrial releases, such as arson and kidnapping. These are defined as forcible felonies by Illinois law."

In December, a Kankakee judge ruled that the portion that ends cash bail was unconstitutional. WLS reported that Judge Thomas Cunnington cited the need for a separation of powers, saying "The appropriateness of bail rests with the authority of the court and may not be determined by legislative fiat."

Stoller attended a legislative meeting with automotive professionals, and a visit to a Regional Office of Education 47, writing on Facebook, "Appreciate education leaders like Chris Tennyson and Josh Knuth at Regional Office of Education #47 who have their eyes on the big-picture issues as well as the details of running school districts. Chris, Josh and team serve Lee, Ogle and Whiteside Counties by handling regulatory matters, state and local services, and information dissemination. Thanks for all you do to provide quality education to our students!"