Weber, House Republicans Call for Overdue SAFE-T Reform

Today, State Representative Tom Weber (Lake Villa) was joined by House Republican Floor Leader Patrick Windhorst (Metropolis), State Representative Dennis Tipsword (Metamora), and State Representative David Friess (Red Bud) for a press conference demanding reform to the so-called "SAFE-T" Act on the second anniversary of the Pretrial Fairness Act that eliminated cash bail.

When Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the SAFE-T Act into law in February 2021, supporters claimed it would modernize Illinois' criminal justice system and make incarceration practices more "fair." The law was rushed through during a lame-duck session and made sweeping changes, putting criminals over victims, imposing unfunded mandates on police officers and counties, and eliminating cash bail.

Two years after the no-cash bail system fully took effect in September 2023, Illinoisans continue to suffer the consequences while criminals walk free. Courts are overwhelmed, police are operating with fewer tools and more unreasonable mandates, all while repeat offenders are cycling in and out of custody. Families are left questioning whether the system is still on their side. Instead of fairness, the law has produced confusion and risk.

The warnings from law enforcement and House Republicans are now reflected in the news:

• "Accused killer walks free under Illinois SAFE-T Act" - WIFR

• "Police chiefs warn criminals are emboldened after bail reform" - Daily Herald

• "Counties face mounting costs, confusion with SAFE-T Act mandates" - Capitol News Illinois

• "Repeat offender charged with burglary days after release" - Chicago Tribune

• "Victims' families outraged after suspects released under new law" - ABC7 Chicago

These headlines, just a snapshot of the past two years, underscore what communities across the state already know: the SAFE-T Act is not working.

House Republicans warned of this outcome from the start, and their concerns have been borne out. Representative Dennis Tipsword, who spent nearly three decades in law enforcement before coming to the General Assembly, has described the law as one that "sides with criminals rather than the people who are trying to protect us." He has seen how offenders who would have been detained just a few years ago are now quickly released, emboldened by the knowledge that consequences are minimal. To help restore accountability, Tipsword filed House Bills 4000, 4001, and 4004 this spring, measures aimed at supporting law enforcement and closing dangerous loopholes created by the SAFE-T Act. He has also joined colleagues in backing stricter penalties for criminals who flee and elude police, a problem that has grown worse since the SAFE-T Act made it easier on criminals and harder on victims of crime.

The pressure isn't just on law enforcement. Judges and prosecutors now spend countless hours navigating complicated rules that limit their discretion. State Representative Patrick Windhorst, a former state's attorney, notes that "the SAFE-T Act has harmed our law enforcement officers and our court system while increasing risks to public safety." To fix this imbalance, Windhorst introduced HB 1479, HB 1482, and HB 1483, bills that would restore the ability of judges to revoke pretrial release, expand the list of detainable offenses, and issue warrants for defendants who refuse to comply with release conditions. These are targeted changes designed to close gaps that criminals are exploiting daily.

The most devastating consequence, however, has been for victims. Families already coping with tragedy now watch suspects walk free because the law classifies their crimes as non-detainable. Representative Tom Weber has been especially outspoken on this point, citing cases like that of Megan Bos, whose body was held for more than 50 days by a man released within a day of his arrest. Weber, who has sponsored legislation to repeal the SAFE-T Act, argues that "public safety is being compromised, and the system is failing the very people it was supposed to protect." His words capture what families across Illinois now know firsthand: the SAFE-T Act was a promise of fairness that has turned into a failed experiment.

In response, Weber has filed HB 4104 in order to give courts broader discretion to deny pretrial release for felony defendants, even in cases where current law's thresholds are not met, keeping more criminals off the streets, easing the burden on law enforcement.

Instead of restoring trust in the justice system, this law has drained local resources, flooded courts with bureaucracy, and left communities less safe. House Republicans are working to reverse the damage by advancing legislation like Tipsword's HB 4004, Windhorst's judicial authority package, and Weber's bill giving courts broader discretion. Together, these efforts are aimed at doing what the SAFE-T Act failed to do: put victims first, hold criminals accountable, and give law enforcement the tools they need to protect Illinois families.

Two years later, the verdict is clear. The SAFE-T Act hasn't made Illinois safer-it has made Illinois less safe. It is time to restore balance, responsibility, and accountability to our justice system.