Metro East Sun

The Illinois the SAFE-T Act ignores minor offenses, said Kevin Schmidt, Republican candidate for state representative, district 114.

“A lot has been made about the no cash bail provision in the LaToya Greenwood-backed SAFE-T Act but there are other egregious aspects of this law that need to be pointed out," the candidate said on Facebook. "The SAFE-T Act prohibits police from physically removing trespassers and people engaged in disorderly conduct. So, if someone comes into your yard and won’t leave, the police can only issue a citation and hope they leave on their own accord."

Although trespassing itself is not a violent crime "If people feel threatened by someone who was not invited to be on their property – that is a potentially dangerous situation," said Schmidt. "The police absolutely should be able to arrest trespassers. The LaToya Greenwood-backed SAFE-T Act will lead to more crime, more lawlessness, and more dangerous communities. I will work to ensure this terrible legislation is repealed.”

The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority website states that the SAFE-T Act enacts extensive reform impacting many areas of the criminal justice system, including pre-arrest diversion, policing, pretrial, sentencing, and corrections.

The most contested aspect of the law is that it will eliminate cash bail in the state of Illinois. The bill noted it will be “presumed that a defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance” and may be detained thereafter if they violate certain conditions listed in 725 ILCS 5/110-2."

Illinois Gov. J.B.   Pritzker 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."

Police 1 reported that the SAFE-T Act "prohibits an officer from making a custodial arrest for Class B misdemeanors, which includes criminal trespass and window peekers." After January 1st, officers must issue a citation and have " no authority to remove a person from private or public property unless they are being threatening," the website said.

Schmidt describes himself as a “strong conservative” and a father and husband that has strong ties to the Metro East area.  Schmidt’s priorities in Springfield will be job growth, resolving crime, and fighting for tax reform.