Leader John Curran calls for special session to address SAFE-T Act

“The long divisive court process instigated by the Democrat’s rushed reform of our criminal justice system opposed by nearly all Illinois law enforcement officials and states attorneys has now concluded with a divided Supreme Court Ruling,” said Illinois Senate Republican Leader John Curran (R-Downers Grove).

“The legislature should finally heed the concerns of law enforcement, judges and their communities and immediately return for a special session to properly address the SAFE-T Acts’ negative impact on the public before this ill-conceived statute goes into effect in 60 days.

“While no person should be held in jail or let free because of their economic circumstances, the SAFE-T Act handcuffs law enforcement and judges making it more difficult for them to combat violent crime.

“It is possible to reform our cash bail system while keeping our communities safe and the legislature should return immediately to ensure that public safety is in no way jeopardized by the implementation of this reckless legislation before it takes effect.”

Senator Steve McClure statement on SAFE-T Act Ruling

State Senator Steve McClure (R-Springfield) released the following statement following the Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling on the SAFE-T Act:

“It’s disappointing that the Supreme Court overruled our state’s constitution and the will of the people of Illinois by upholding the SAFE-T Act. This ruling is just one more blow to the credibility of the Illinois Supreme Court, particularly after two of the justices accepted a million dollars from the main proponent of the Act—Governor JB Pritzker. This is yet another victory for the people who choose to commit crimes in our state. Where are the victories for the victims?”

Senator Andrew Chesney Reacts to Supreme Court Ruling on No-Cash Bail 

On Tuesday, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled the no-cash bail provision of the SAFE-T Act is constitutional. In response to the ruling, State Senator Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) issued the following statement: 

“I am disappointed with the partisan Supreme Court’s ruling because the Legislature did indeed infringe upon the rights and responsibilities of the judicial branch of government when they stripped away judges’ abilities to set cash bail.  

“The Democrat Party has enacted the most radical soft-on-crime policies in the country, and nobody in this state will be immune from the consequences. This pro-criminal brand of justice will put many criminals back on the streets within hours of a serious arrest. Crime victims and Illinois families will continue to feel less safe, and the State of Illinois will continue to grab national headlines for its growing crime rates.” 

Click here to read the ruling. 

Senator Terri Bryant reacts to SAFE-T Act Court Ruling

State Senator Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) issued the following statement in response to the Illinois Supreme Court’s 5-2 decision to uphold the controversial no-cash bail provisions of SAFE-T Act:

“I am extremely disappointed by the Court’s ruling. Throughout the past few years, we have seen Democratic lawmakers prioritize the needs and wants of criminals within our judicial system over those of their victims and those seeking to protect them.

“Today’s ruling upholds that twisted and abhorrent mindset. The people of our state will be less safe once this Act takes full effect all across Illinois this September. And the further erosion of public safety that will undoubtedly follow will be all thanks to the Majority Party and this ruling.”

Senator Win Stoller reacts to SAFE-T Act Court Ruling

State Senator Win Stoller (R-Germantown Hills) issued the following statement in response to the Illinois Supreme Court’s 5-2 decision to uphold the controversial no-cash bail provisions of SAFE-T Act:

Without question, today’s ruling is both a disappointment and a step backwards in terms of protecting victims and their rights. This complete rewriting of our state’s criminal justice system once again follows the Majority Party’s trend of putting criminals above law enforcement and our overall public safety.

“Sweeping legislation like this limits judges’ ability to make decisions and exercise necessary discretion based on the facts of the case before them. Our state as a whole will be far less safe once the SAFE-T Act takes full effect.”

Senator Sue Rezin reacts to SAFE-T Act Court Ruling

State Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris) issued the following statement in response to the Illinois Supreme Court’s 5-2 decision to uphold the controversial no-cash bail provisions of SAFE-T Act:

“The Illinois Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the SAFE-T Act in its entirety is disappointing. While I understand the movement to reform our cash bail system, there is a way to do that fairly while also better ensuring the public safety of our communities.

“The SAFE-T Act, which the Majority Party negotiated, drafted and passed in the middle of the night with little-to-no input from law enforcement, state’s attorneys, and judges is a far cry from achieving that balance. Instead, counties are now faced with implementing this hastily, dangerous, and ill-conceived law, which I fear will make our state a less safe place to call home.”

Senator Craig Wilcox Reacts to Supreme Court Ruling on No-Cash Bail

On Tuesday, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled the no-cash bail provision of the SAFE-T Act is Constitutional. In response to the ruling, State Senator Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry) issued the following statement: 

“This is not the ruling I had hoped for in this case. The bottom line is that Illinoisans deserve to feel safe in their communities, and this decision makes our cities and towns less safe. The turnstile system of criminal justice that goes along with the elimination of cash bail will put dangerous offenders back on the streets within hours of their arrest. Judges must have the flexibility to set bail as they see fit given the circumstances of each individual case. 

“In a state with alarming crime statistics, eliminating cash bail without giving judges full discretion is the last thing we should do. Until Illinois decides once and for all to get tough on crime and hold offenders accountable, this state will continue to have a serious crime problem.” 

Click here to read the ruling. 

Senator Sally Turner reacts to SAFE-T Act Court Ruling

State Senator Sally Turner (R-Beason) issued the following statement in response to the Illinois Supreme Court’s 5-2 decision to uphold the controversial no-cash bail provisions of SAFE-T Act:

“I am greatly disappointed in today’s decision by the Illinois Supreme Court. The full implementation of the SAFE-T Act will completely and broadly change our state’s criminal justice system – and not for the better.

“This law will take away local judges’ ability to exercise necessary discretion and will allow known criminals back on the streets to commit more crimes. It is truly a sad day when our state Supreme Court upholds a criminal justice system that prioritizes criminals over victims.”

Senator Jason Plummer statement on SAFE-T Act Ruling

State Senator Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) released the below statement following the Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling on the SAFE-T Act.

“If there were any questions before, it is abundantly clear now to all Illinoisans how political our state’s highest court has become. This ruling was not about what is actually in our constitution, and it is not about what is best for the average Illinoisan. It is about politicians sitting on the bench and voting to support the extreme and dangerous agenda of this Governor and his legislative allies. 

“It is unhealthy to our society for the judicial branch of government to become as politicized as it has become. The politics that has infected our highest court will now tie the hands of local judges and law enforcement who work hard every day to keep Illinoisans safe. This is dangerous to the brave men and women who serve in law enforcement, it is devastating to communities across our great state, and it is frightening to the families who just want safe neighborhoods. All of this simply because a few of our top elected officials kowtow to activists and are completely disconnected from the realities their constituents face every day.”

Senator Don DeWitte Reacts to Supreme Court Ruling on No-Cash Bail 

On Tuesday, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled the no-cash bail provision of the SAFE-T Act is Constitutional. In response to the ruling, State Senator Don DeWitte (R-St. Charles) issued the following statement: 

“I am extremely disappointed that the Supreme Court has decided it is okay for the legislative branch to interfere with a judge’s right to set cash bail for defendants. Governor Pritzker donated millions to the campaign funds of some of the very justices who were charged with issuing this ruling, and it appears our state’s highest court is proving to be as politicized as the purported social justice warriors who have chosen to put the rights of the accused far ahead of the rights of victims. It’s a bad day for Illinois. 

“Last year I called for a full repeal of the Act so we could bring all parties to the table to create fair and balanced legislation that would ensure that individuals who could not afford cash bail did not have their lives upended by overzealous judges, and that charged individuals with significant resources could not buy their way out of jail. That request was ignored by the Majority Party, and the legislation ended up being a law that enshrined Illinois’ soft-on-crime agenda and disregards a crime victim’s right to feel safe. There is simply no need to strip judges of the full discretion needed to ensure public safety. Through today’s court ruling, the war on victims rolls on in the State of Illinois. 

“Illinois has three distinct branches of government, and the framers of our State Constitution distributed unique powers to each branch. The blurring of these lines puts our state on a wrong and dangerous path. Judges are in the best position to make decisions based on the facts of the case and sweeping legislation like this limits their ability to exercise necessary discretion.” 

Senator Chapin Rose Statement on SAFE-T Act Ruling 

State Senator Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) released the following statement regarding the Illinois Supreme Court ruling on the SAFE-T Act:

“The Democrats have endangered the citizens of Illinois. In fact, their original draft was so terrible it has been through multiple amendments so far. But no amount of amendments will fix the SAFE-T Act, it needs to be repealed.”

Senator Dave Syverson disappointed with court ruling upholding ‘no cash bail’

A July 18 ruling by the Illinois Supreme Court upholding the “no cash bail” provision of the SAFE-T Act is a disappointment, according to State Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Cherry Valley), who says he has never supported the controversial law or the way it was passed in Springfield late in the night without any input from law enforcement.

“State’s attorneys and law enforcement personnel from across Illinois have stated in no uncertain terms that their work – and the ultimate safety of their communities – will be threatened by many provisions of this controversial overhaul of the state’s criminal justice system,” Syverson said, “With crime increasing across the state, eliminating cash bail just puts more criminals back on the streets.”

“I am not surprised that the politically aligned Court would side with the Governor, but this is certainly not the ruling I had hoped for,” Syverson said. “It clearly sends yet another message that there are limited consequences for committing crimes in Illinois.”

Syverson noted that the SAFE-T Act will also increase costs on police departments and local governments, while at the same time reducing revenue by eliminating cash bail. This action will lead to fewer incarceration costs being paid by the criminals and will shift those costs to law-abiding taxpayers. 

Senator Jil Tracy disappointed with court ruling upholding ‘no cash bail’

A July 18 ruling by the Illinois Supreme Court upholding the “no cash bail” provision of the SAFE-T Act is a disappointment, according to State Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy), who says she has never supported the controversial law or the way it was forced through the General Assembly in late-night lame-duck session more than two years ago.

“The SAFE-T Act is an overly broad rewrite of our state’s criminal justice system that puts criminals above our law enforcement system and the safety of Illinoisans,” Tracy said. “Local judges are in the best position to make decisions based on the facts of a specific case, and sweeping legislation like this limits their ability to exercise necessary discretion.”

Tracy said the SAFE-T Act does not fully address the front-line concerns of public safety personnel tasked with protecting Illinoisans. “Front-line public safety personnel from throughout our state strongly opposed the ‘no cash bail’ provision, but their concerns were not heeded by the lawmakers who forced through this new law,” she said.

The 50^th District Senator noted that the SAFE-T Act will also increase costs on police departments and local governments, meaning that many communities would likely see cuts to their local police departments, higher property taxes, or a combination of the two.

“I support our law enforcement personnel who work tirelessly to maintain public safety. Beyond just the ‘no cash bail’ provision, the SAFE-T Act is a blatant attack on the men and women who are charged with keeping our communities safe,” said Tracy.

Senator Erica Harriss releases statement following SAFE-T Act court ruling

State Senator Erica Harriss (56^th-Glen Carbon) has released the below statement following the Illinois Supreme Court’s 5-2 decision to uphold the controversial no-cash bail provisions of SAFE-T Act:

“Today’s ruling is not only concerning for our law enforcement community and criminal justice system, but even more so for public safety,” said Senator Harriss. “This Act limits our judges from using their full discretion on determining pre-trial conditions, making it difficult to combat violence within our communities. Ultimately, the poorly written SAFE-T Act is a reckless rewrite of our criminal justice system that puts victims and Illinois citizens at increased risk.”

Senator Neil Anderson releases statement regarding the Illinois Supreme Court’s decision on controversial SAFE-T Act

State Senator Neil Anderson (R-Andalusia) has released the below statement regarding the Illinois Supreme Court’s 5-2 ruling today to uphold the controversial SAFE-T Act:

“While today’s ruling severely jeopardizes the safety of Illinois’ residents, it should come as no surprise that the highly political Illinois Supreme Court upheld this extremely dangerous and flawed law. In fact, the Democratic Majority just gerrymandered this very court to ensure it would consistently rule in their favor. Unfortunately, the people of Illinois are left with an ill-conceived law that puts the public at risk and fails to heed the warnings of law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges from all across the state, who have all spoken out against the negative impacts the SAFE-T Act will have on our communities. This is a sad day for our state.”

Senator Tom Bennett Disappointed by the IL Supreme Court Ruling Upholding the SAFE-T Act

State Senator Tom Bennett (R-Gibson City) released the following statement on the Supreme Court ruling on the SAFE-T Act:

“I am disappointed in today’s ruling of the SAFE-T Act. Eliminating cash bail without providing judges with broad discretion to hold dangerous individuals pre-trial will decrease public safety and make it harder for law enforcement to keep violent criminals off the streets and out of our communities.

“The SAFE-T Act was pushed through in the middle of the night with little-to-no transparency or input from key stakeholders. It is an ill-conceived rewrite of our state’s criminal justice system that puts criminals above law-enforcement and public safety. We have already seen police officers and sheriffs leave to find new careers because of the SAFE-T Act. With the ruling today, I fear it will be harder to find individuals to fill those positions and keep our communities safe.

“This is not the outcome we were hoping for today.”