(The Center Square) – The high number of Illinois law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty last year is uniting opponents of the controversial SAFE-T Act.
It stands for the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity Today Act and was drafted by the Illinois Black Caucus in 2021.
One aspect of the controversial law involves electronic monitoring. Critics say a provision of the SAFE-T Act allows defendants two days a week to move freely and sometimes commit crimes.
On April 1, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart officially ended his office’s electronic monitoring program, a process he first announced in December.
During the police memorial ceremony last week honoring nine law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty last year, Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza said it is bad policy.
“Chicago police officer Enrique Martinez would be with us right now and not on this button or on that memorial wall outside if the monster that murdered him was locked up instead of out committing crimes while out with an electronic monitor,” said Mendoza.
Following the ceremony, state Rep. Patrick Sheehan, R-Homer Glen, who is a police officer, told his fellow lawmakers on the House floor that one fallen officer is one too many.
“We have lost officers, good men and women, because of flawed policy,” said Sheehan. “The SAFE-T Act, under the guise of reform, has eroded public policy making it harder for law enforcement to do their job, harder for communities to feel safe, and easier for violent offenders to walk free.”
Sheehan added that the SAFE-T Act is a prime example of policy that has weakened law enforcement’s ability to protect citizens.
Former McHenry County State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally called the SAFE-T Act an “abject failure,” saying there has been an increase in crime and incarceration, and a decrease in offenders appearing for their court date and making restitution to crime victims.
The Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice is calling on lawmakers to allocate more money to the Pretrial Success Act and to other treatment programs that they said will “improve the stability of our most vulnerable residents.”
