Chambana Sun

Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) is taking exception to the SAFE-T Act's elimination of cash bail.

"I have no issue with efforts to lower the cost of bail for non-violent offenders, but eliminating bail altogether is just a bad idea," Halbrook said. "The purpose of our justice system is to protect our communities. If someone is a flight risk or if someone is likely to put innocent people in danger, our justice system should have tools in place to keep these individuals off the streets. Our focus must be on the safety of our communities."

Supporters of the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act, including the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, point to the legislation as a step toward making the justice system more equitable for minorities. 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 SAFE-T Act will eliminate cash bail in Illinois, effective Jan. 1, 2023, which critics claim will lead to more criminals on the streets.

Multiple state's attorneys expressed concern over the legislation at a media briefing in April, according to the Center Square. State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) said that some of the provisions regarding law enforcement are driving people away from the field. “It's been very frustrating to see our law enforcement officers retire early, some of our sheriffs retire early, and our students not wanting to go into the law enforcement field,” Fowler said.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently defended the elimination of cash bail, according to The Center Square. "We do not want someone in jail because they were arrested for a low-level crime like shoplifting to be sitting in jail for months or maybe even years," Pritzker said. "At the same time, someone who is a wealthy drug dealer, perhaps accused of murder and arrested, can show up with a suitcase full of money and get out of jail."