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* Sept. 9 press release…
With the implementation of no-cash bail and other controversial elements of the SAFE-T Act set to take effect across Illinois in less than four months, State Senator Donald DeWitte (R-St. Charles) is calling for a full repeal of the Act so that legislators can iron out significant issues that will place Illinoisans’ safety at risk and place unaffordable burdens on the court system. He is also offering a petition that Illinois residents can sign to urge the repeal.
* Center Square last week…
Saying Illinoisans’ safety will be at risk, an Illinois senator is calling for a full repeal of the Safety, Accountability and Fairness Equity Today Act, or SAFE-T Act.
State Sen. Don DeWitte, R-St. Charles, also is providing a petition online where Illinois residents can urge the repeal.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the bill into law last year, which will abolish cash bail on Jan. 1, making Illinois the first state in the country to do so. Pritzker has celebrated the legislation as one that supports police departments with funds and equipment such as body cameras, and that the elimination of cash bail will prevent low-level criminals from sitting in jail for months.
* Kankakee Daily Journal editorial from yesterday…
We side with Rowe and Glasgow, as the SAFE-T Act isn’t good for the safety and well being of every Illinoisan.
State Sen. Don DeWitte, R-St.Charles, has an online petition where Illinois residents can support the repeal of the SAFE-T Act.
* Daily Herald…
Though the petition calls for repealing the act, DeWitte said he doesn’t support “full-blown repeal and elimination.” He says he wants lawmakers to work together to address the concerns raised about the legislation.
I like Sen. DeWitte, but it’s difficult to see how he is now interested in negotiating in good faith.
…Adding… Like I said…
There is just no way to take these people seriously. A bunch of opponents have gone from siding with the worst elements of their party to horribly flip flopping.
Not a good look for good faith conversations. https://t.co/nk7YZZQ4qj pic.twitter.com/AGJYPEhoZo
— Robert Peters (@RobertJPeters) September 22, 2022
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 8:55 am
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Well, since its been clear Sen. Sims et al have no desire to negotiate in good faith, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Red meat for both bases.
Comment by Just Another Anon Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 8:59 am
===Though the petition calls for repealing the act, DeWitte said he doesn’t support “full-blown repeal and elimination.” ===
“Sign my petition. I don’t want what it wants, but sign it anyway. Thanks” /S
Comment by Bruce( no not him) Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 9:05 am
The longer this stays in the headlines the better off for ILGOP.
Comment by Blue Dog Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 9:05 am
===et al===
… and yet both Pritzker and Raoul have said, very recently, that there needs to be, if I can paraphrase, a revisit and/or clarifying.
Opening a door to such a discussion is not an “et al” kind of inclusion you think.
I do think, and I’ve stated first I have real questions, and I’ve also said clarity to after implementing is important.
I am not a legislator, governor or attorney general, and waiting upon thoughts to the “after” for those folks is “disappointing” and not forward thinking to what was passed and signed back when real time thoughts would hand mattered
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 9:07 am
=== Sims et al have no desire to negotiate in good faith===
From what I gather, they have been talking for months.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 9:08 am
==The longer this stays in the headlines the better off for ILGOP. ==
Sorta, but not in a very meaningful way. “Crime” isn’t moving the needle as much as people thought it would, and any time you start getting into the weeds of legislation, peoples’ eyes glaze over.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 9:10 am
===for ILGOP. ===
Ask Irvin how that worked out.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 9:13 am
I’ve been wondering about whether crime moves the needle. the commercials are ubiquitous. But they are irritating. Think it will move the needle somewhat but not as much as the fear mongering team thinks. Unless…. If there is some big incident, then maybe somewhat more. Pritzker’s commentary that super bad guys could get out if they just had the money should be emphasized more.
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 9:16 am
The petition is just a way to later ask for money. Great fundraising exercise. Brilliant.
Comment by Just Me 2 Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 9:41 am
==But the new law takes away the ability of prosecutors and judges to detain people whom they judge pose a threat.
That’s from the Kankakee editorial and it’s just false. Prosecutors can offer evidence of a person posing a threat and judge can decide someone is a threat and instead of just making it a high bail amount, a true threat doesn’t get out period.
Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 9:50 am
==Think it will move the needle somewhat but not as much as the fear mongering team thinks.==
Yeah, I think that’s basically right, and that they’ll move the needle only about as much as negative ad campaign focused on, say, inflation, would. Negative ads, by and large, work.
But I also think ILGOP only has so many options and none of them are great, so crime might be the best card in a bad hand.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 10:04 am
@ArchPundit - So the law adds more work for prosecutors and judges with no funding to support it? CCSAO is dealing with significant turnover and staff shortages. Courts are backlogged still from covid. Meanwhile the Pritzker administration expects that come January 1st, the current system will be able to deal with all the new mandates in the law.
Comment by Chicagonk Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 10:23 am
=== So the law adds more work for prosecutors and judges with no funding to support it? ===
Work they should be doing now.
Or are you OK with murderers paying bail and walking like they can do now?
Comment by Da big bad wolf Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 10:52 am
=== So the law adds more work for prosecutors and judges with no funding to support it? CCSAO is dealing with significant turnover and staff shortages.
Then ask for more money. It was passed in 2021 so this shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone with nearly a two year warning. It’s also not clear that there is that much more work. I’m told on one hand that poor people can be released on their own recognizance and then on the other hand that requiring demonstration of threat is a huge unfunded mandate. This only makes sense if you think that a large majority of charged individuals are a specific threat. By any reasonable logic, it should be the case that state’s attorneys can now focus on those who are serious threats instead of trying to figure out bail for everyone.
Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 10:55 am
People aren’t leaving CCSAO because of the budget or the workload. It’s because they have lost faith in the leadership. Can’t blame that on the Safe-T Act.
Comment by Big Dipper Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 11:46 am
Is this a DeWitt fetcher petition?
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 1:23 pm
@BigDipper - You are right, but ASA salaries are way below market and the workload demands are higher than ever.
Comment by Chicagonk Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 3:07 pm
Big Dipper is spot on. Safe-T act looming has zero to do with folks leaving the CCSAO. the stories from that place due to I’m Foxx and her management are awful. Salaries were always way below market and workload demands not only always high but people worked hard because they believed in the leadership. Yes haters, including with Anita Alvarez. Law enforcement has it hard everywhere but the trial experience in the CCSAO is like none elsewhere.
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 8:43 pm