Bailey (2nd from Left) with Fraternal Order of Police Illinois Corrections Lodge 263.
LOUISVILLE IL — Wednesday, state Senator and gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey criticized the Pritzker-signed so-called “SAFE-T Act” that Bailey says will make Illinois’ communities less safe. He is once again calling for the repeal of Governor Pritzker’s “soft-on-crime” policies.
“Though Governor Pritzker likes to claim that the law simply diverts low-level drug offenders from sitting in prison before trial, the fact is that the SAFE-T Act will put hardened criminals back on the street,” Bailey stated. “Pritzker trumpeted the law as bringing Illinois closer to ‘true safety, true fairness and true justice.’ The exact opposite has occurred, and the warning signs came right from the start.”
Bailey noted Chicago crime is spiking again. Theft is up 65%, car theft is up 62%, burglaries are up 29%, and robberies are up 19% just over the past year. Illinoisans are unsafe under Pritzker’s failed leadership.
“The complete elimination of cash bail and restrictions on pre-trial detention must be repealed before it’s too late,” Bailey stated. “Law enforcement must be supported. J.B. Pritzker has failed the people of Illinois and failed our public safety officers with his SAFE-T Act and other soft-on-crime policies like no cash bail that is already failing Chicago and will take effect statewide on January 1.
Even Democratic state’s attorneys acknowledge the problems with the SAFE-T Act, Bailey said.
James Glasgow, a Democratic Will County state’s attorney, says the SAFE-T Act makes it harder to hold violent criminals before trial as defendants are presumed eligible for pretrial release and must be provided with a hearing within 48 hours giving little time for prosecutors to present compelling evidence.
To view Bailey’s full policy position, click here.
