* Here we go. WCIA…

In about a month, 58 states attorney’s sued the state over the SAFE-T Act. Now, they are being consolidated into a single county.

A court document published Thursday shows all parties involved decided to consolidate all the cases into Kankakee County. Kankakee State’s Attorney Jim Rowe was the first state’s attorney to sue the state over the SAFE-T Act. All parties were consulted before the motion was filed.

“Allowing one court to resolve the challenges to the SAFE-T Act will thus not only avoid the risk of conflicting rulings and relief, but also minimize the expenditure of resources by and before multiple courts,” the document reads.

By the way, if you want a copy of Sen. Scott Bennett’s reform legislation, click here.

* SJ-R story about that Springfield SAFE-T Act event I told you about yesterday. Good to see some rhetoric that wasn’t hyperbolic and Jim Glasgowesque…

A claim seen by many PFA opponents is that county jail populations will see significant reductions once it goes into effect in January 2023. However when asked on Wednesday, [Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell] said it was still undetermined whether those incarcerated prior to Jan. 1 would be let out retroactively.

Still, having to “prepare for the worst,” the sheriff recounted the number of people currently in the Sangamon County Jail and gave an assessment. Looking at county jail statistics from August, he said approximately 100 out of the approximate 330 inmates in the county jail could be let out.

“That’s about a third of the jail, but again that may not happen,” Campbell said, who previously joined with Wright in a lawsuit against the state over the SAFE-T Act.

* More un-Glasgowesque rhetoric in Adams County…

A question raised from the audience was about the elimination of requiring a sworn affidavit when filing a complaint against a police officer or department, but [Quincy Police Chief Adam Yates] said that won’t affect Quincy.

“We haven’t required that for about 20 years,” he said. “If we get a complaint through any means, we investigate all of those.”

I have never understood the opposition to anonymous complaints because law enforcement has heavily relied on anonymous tips forever.

* Hearings were held on a proposed omnibus bill for months and months. The Illinois Supreme Court even formed a study commission in 2017, which included a wide range of stakeholders, and which released a report in 2020. So, this claim is exaggerated for effect…

The sponsors of the SAFE-T Act have asserted they were addressing flaws in our state’s criminal justice system. If this was true, then input should have come from judges, state prosecutors, public defenders, private criminal defense attorneys, law enforcement officers, probation officers, civil rights advocates, victim’s rights groups and clerks of the circuit courts.

The proper way to address the merits of a bill is to hold hearings, allow proponents and opponents to be heard and allow the members of the General Assembly to discuss both the purpose of the proposed law and the precise statutory language to be adopted.

In other words, create a legislative history.

The 764-page SAFE-T Act was introduced in the Illinois Senate at 4 a.m., and it passed at 5 a.m. It took the Illinois Senate only one hour to radically alter Illinois’ justice system. Hours later, the SAFE-T Act was introduced in the Illinois House for the first time. It passed at 11 a.m. No bona fide hearings or debates occurred. There was no opportunity for input from proponents or opponents. Ramrodding through any bill, let alone one that will profoundly affect the lives and safety of nearly 13 million Illinoisans, is irresponsible, improper and wrong.

* CPD Superintendent…

In response to a question from Ald. Marty Quinn, Brown calls for changes to be made to the criminal justice reform law (known as the SAFE-T act) that would require defendants with a history of violent crimes to be held before they are tried.

— Heather Cherone (@HeatherCherone) October 21, 2022

…Adding… From the 13th Ward’s alderperson…

Rich – A statement from Ald. Quinn in regard to Cherone’s tweet you posted. Thanks!

“When I spoke in opposition of the SAFE-T Act today, I offered Supt. Brown my help in repealing the portion of the Act that allows electronic monitoring to more individuals. He was open to that, and I’m glad he saw things in a similar way.”

* Roundup from Isabel…

* ADDED: Gun violence hurts D.C. There’s a proven way to stop it: We know that gun violence is not an intractable problem. An estimated 70 percent of D.C.’s gun violence is driven by approximately 500 identifiable individuals. Most of this violence is cyclical and retaliatory — therefore, it’s predictable and preventable. Other cities — New York, Los Angeles and Boston — have dramatically reduced their homicide rates and kept them low. So can we.

* Illinois SAFE-T Act: McHenry County board OKs resolution to oppose controversial new law: County board members voted 13-8 at a Tuesday night meeting to pass a resolution opposing the SAFE-T Act after listening to the public’s comments and engaging in a “robust debate” on how to protect the interests of McHenry County constituents, a statement said.

* I’m a pastor, policy advocate and mom, and I support the Pretrial Fairness Act: If you have some questions about what’s happening with money bond and incarceration in our state, I totally understand. Illinois has been inundated with lies regarding the Pretrial Fairness Act, the portion of the SAFE-T Act that will end our state’s use of money bond in January. As disinformation and scare tactics spread, the Winnebago County Board passed a resolution calling for the repeal of this legislation. While their resolution has no actual legal effect, I was disheartened by the messaging.

* Taxes, public safety among topics in Kane County Board District 18 election: Williams, 52, of Blackberry Township, said issues for voters include the SAFE –T Act and taxes. In regard to the SAFE –T Act, Williams said there are concerns about “the no-cash bail provision of the law.” Public safety has been a concern as crime seems to be migrating from Chicago to areas west of the city, he said. “There has been an influx of crime in the area from people coming in from the city. We’ve had several instances in my subdivision where stolen cars have entered and people’s belongings and homes have been invaded,” Williams said.

* Should possession of a little fentanyl, cocaine and heroin be a misdemeanor, not a felony?: McHenry County officials don’t think so, judging by what State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally and Coroner Dr. Michael Rein told a county board committee recently. “As with the SAFE-T Act, the supermajorities in the House and Senate are attempting to quietly remake the criminal justice system in extreme ways that jeopardize public safety,” Kenneally said in a release after the meeting. “Decriminalizing marijuana was the first step toward legalization, and that appears to be the track Springfield is now on with fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, PCP, LSD, methamphetamines and Ecstasy. … “Consequences are an incredibly important part of treating drug addiction,” he said. If charges for personal-use amounts of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine are reduced to misdemeanors, he said, defendants will not be eligible to participate in drug-court programs.