Metro East Sun

Ashley Hunsaker, the Republican candidate to represent the 113th House District, is running on an anti-crime platform.

“Violent crime is frighteningly common in Illinois because of the radical defunding of the police policies pushed by my opponent and his Chicago financial backers," Hunsaker said. "I'm running to serve the interests of local families - that means keeping lawlessness out of our communities and keeping violent criminals away from our families."

She says the elimination of cash bail under the SAFE-T Act will be dangerous to communities.

"I'm opposed to the elimination of cash bail because of the risk it poses to every local family. My opponent voted for Pritzker's anti-police bill, putting local families at risk," Hunsaker said. "Voters have a choice in November: vote for me and I'll work to restore our community and keep your family safe by backing the police. Or vote for my opponent who is actively working to undermine local police and is endangering your family.”

Hunsaker is running against incumbent Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Belleville) in the November general election.

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 will eliminate cash bail in Illinois, effective Jan. 1 2023, which critics claim will lead to more criminals out 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."