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The SAFE-T Act’s future

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Illinois

With the Illinois General Assembly back at the Capitol Tuesday, House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) lays out his expectation for one of the big issues, the “Safe-T Act.”

A key provision of that package, which passed almost two years ago, is the end of cash bail Jan. 1. Police and prosecutors have said their ability to catch and keep criminals will be severely hampered. If they are expecting lawmakers to use the veto session to overhaul the legislation, they are in for a disappointment.

“Certainly it’s a hope that we get clarifications done before we leave here in the second week of veto session,” which ends Dec. 1, Welch said. “I don’t think there’s a need for a big overhaul. We have already done three trailer bills that have been signed into law.”

Welch, about to enter his second two-year term as speaker, says the big issues – abortion, Safe-T, gun control – are delegated first to “working groups.” Those groups are all Democrats and not open to the public.

“One of the ways I manage the caucus is making sure that there is a consensus among us first,” said Welch. “The committee process will allow Republicans to be involved in it. After that, we’ll take it to the floor. (That process) has produced a whole lot of solid results.”

* Center Square…

Jim Kaitschuck of the Illinois Sheriffs Association told The Center Square it could be a while before changes to the act are agreed upon even though lawmakers return this week.

“Our last conversation was last Wednesday, and we do not have a schedule to meet again, but that could change,” Kiatschuck said. “Lawmakers are only in session Tuesday and Wednesday, so in terms of something moving this week, I don’t think that’s remotely likely.”

Over the past few months, Republicans have called for a repeal of the measure, while Democrats have discussed further legislation. Kiatschuck said one idea is more realistic than the other.

“It’s a trailer bill is more likely,” Kaitschuck said. “Especially with the change of politics that has occurred, I do not see how a full repeal would occur.”

Many groups have spoken out against the measure, including the Illinois Sheriffs Association. Kaitschuck has been a part of the negotiations on the subject and said it’s all up to lawmakers now.

“We shed some light on the concerns we have, and states attorneys have and how we would address some of those things,” Kaitschuck said. “Ultimately, now the case has been presented now, it’s a matter of making a determination as to what the General Assembly is able to change or wants to change.”

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 11:41 am

Comments

I think this is how it’s supposed to work. If something needs fixing, you fix it.

Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 11:50 am
When you go crazy on the rhetoric and fail, you better start focusing on being real. The goal of the reform must be realized. Now focus on implementation issues.

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 11:59 am
==I do not see how a full repeal would occur==

It’s always been about 30 & 60. They never had a plan that didn’t rely on huge Republican wins in the election and now there’s no path to repeal at all.

Comment by Socially DIstant watcher Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 12:50 pm
Isn’t the SAFE-T Act a done deal? If the Court finds the Act “unconstitutional” December 15th, won’t the Dems cure the issue by simply reintroducing it and passing it again?

Comment by Larry Saunders Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 1:15 pm
== Isn’t the SAFE-T Act a done deal? ==

It’s a done deal but a number of legitimate concerns about language and implementation need to be addressed. Trailer bill #3 will hopefully do that.

== won’t the Dems cure the issue by simply reintroducing it and passing it again? ==

It doesn’t work that way. Unconstitutional is unconstitutional. They would have to remedy the issues the court found unconstitutional.

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 1:20 pm
–They would have to remedy the issues the court found unconstitutional.–

This is going to immediately be appealed if the court finds any merit to their claims of it being unconstitutional. The injunctive relief decision will come even before the case is over.

It’s likely going to be Grischow pt2, but this time it will be judge Cunnington.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 1:39 pm
= They would have to remedy the issues the court found unconstitutional. =

If the courts toss the SAFE-T Act because it eliminates cash bail, then the General Assembly could just pass the bill again as-is except with the bail amount at $1 instead of $0.

Comment by cover Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 4:13 pm