Tracy: SAFE-T Act trailer bill improved but ‘many glaring shortcomings remain’

SPRINGFIELD – State Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) says legislative changes approved Thursday by the Senate do make improvements to the controversial SAFE-T Act but do not fully address the front-line concerns of public safety personnel tasked with protecting Illinoisans.

“The changes approved Dec. 1 contain some much-needed changes. However, many glaring shortcomings remain. I support our law enforcement personnel who work tirelessly to maintain public safety,” Tracy said in a press release issued Thursday afternoon. “There are still many hindrances and obstacles in the SAFE-T Act that will make our communities less safe.”

The SAFE-T Act, a criminal justice reform bill, was passed on Jan. 13, 2021 and signed by Gov. JB Pritzker on Feb. 22, 2021. Some of the controversial provisions, like ending the system of cash bail, were to take effect Jan. 1, 2023.

A SAFE-T Act trailer bill officially passed out of the Senate Thursday afternoon on a 38-17 vote. The bill contained several changes to the bill’s detainability standards, electronic monitoring provisions, dangerousness standards and other sections of the bill pertaining to the impending end of cash bail.

It now heads to the House for consideration.

Tracy says state’s attorneys and law enforcement personnel from across Illinois have talked for months about how their work – and the ultimate safety of their communities – will be threatened when some provisions of the state’s controversial overhaul of its criminal justice system take effect next year.

Tracy says the SAFE-T Act increases both costs and requirements on police departments, meaning many communities would likely see cuts to their local police departments, higher property taxes or a combination of the two.