Metro East Sun

The heavily debated SAFE-T Act is set to go into effect on January 1st, 2023. Since its inception, the SAFE-T Act has received pushback from law enforcement, police unions, and elected representatives mainly Republicans. Over the past month, Democrat state’s attorneys have joined the discussion and taken action to repeal the SAFE-T Act. As the discussion of the SAFE-T Act continues to be elevated before the election in November, state level candidates and elected leaders are weighing in.

The ICJIA 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 SAFE-T Act 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.

Police 1 reported that the SAFE-T Act will also make it illegal for law enforcement to ‘shoot a taser at someone’s back, pelvis, and head.’ Currently, it is a ‘recommended target’ in all police officer training.

Kevin Schmidt, candidate for State Representative in the 114th District has released a statement on the restricted use of TASERS in the SAFE-T Act. 

“Another controversial provision in the SAFE-T Act is the provision preventing police officers from shooting a TASER at someone’s back. This means anyone running away from a police officer who is getting away will essentially not be caught,” Schmidt wrote in a Sept. 28 Facebook post. “Limiting our police officers this way means potentially dangerous individuals will be allowed to escape police custody and potentially commit more crimes. This is unbelievable to me that anyone would actually support terrible policies like the SAFE-T Act, but this is the bill my opponent voted to support. Our communities are less safe thanks to the reckless policies my opponent supports.” 

Kevin 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.

SafeWise's annual 2022 State of Safety survey found that only 42% of Illinois residents report feeling safe, while 64% reported feeling "high daily concern" for their safety. 13% of respondents reported experiencing gun violence firsthand, an increase from 8% the previous year. Mass shooting incidents in Illinois increased by 25% from 2020 to 2021.

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."