CHICAGO – In reaction to the decision by the Illinois Supreme Court ruling the provision in the 2021 SAFE-T Act ending cash bail is constitutional, House Assistant Republican Leader Brad Stephens (R-Rosemont) released the following statement:
“The so-called ‘SAFE-T’ Act rewrote the book on everything, from allowing anonymous complaints against police officers to abolishing cash bail and letting people accused of violent felonies back on the streets. Despite the multiple pieces of follow-up legislation to address its various problems and lawsuits from even Democratic State’s Attorneys because of the mounting concerns about public safety brought on by this legislation, the Illinois Supreme Court has ruled it constitutional.
“In the midst of this ruling, our reality is clear. Illinois still has one of the highest murder rates in the country. Pressure has been put on our overburdened and demoralized police forces in the 20th District and across our state. Unfunded mandates are driving up costs for taxpayers. This decision is disappointing in so many ways. We need to work in the General Assembly to protect Illinois families and our courageous law enforcement.”