WINNEBAGO COUNTY, Ill. – Effective January 1, 2023, Illinois is set to be the first state in the union to eliminate cash bail through the SAFE-T Act. Among many concerns is that the SAFE-T Act creates unreasonable legal standards for detention in forcible felonies such as murder and armed robbery. The Winnebago County Board believes that this law puts the public in danger by allowing dangerous criminals to be free of incarceration, and feel it will discourage victim cooperation with law enforcement due to fear of retaliation by offenders immediately released back into society. Thus, the County Board approved a bipartisan resolution 13-6 demanding that the SAFE-T Act immediately be repealed.
"The fact that this legislation will likely result in the release of more than half of the inmates in the Winnebago County Jail is unconscionable," said Board Member John Sweeney, who sponsored the resolution. "Ultimately, this places a thumb on the scales of justice and tilts it away from the interests of society and in favor of those committing criminal acts."
As an alternative to the repeal of the Act, the County Board calls upon the General Assembly to delay the implementation of the Act so it can be extensively reviewed and debated and the appropriate changes can be made. Further, the Board is demanding that the Act's effective date be delayed due to the current confusion surrounding the interpretation of the Act, which will likely create operational havoc in the courts.
The Winnebago County State's Attorney's Office has reviewed the resolution submitted by the Public Safety & Judiciary Committee. A copy will be sent to all state office holders representing any portion of the County of Winnebago, and to the Office of Governor of the State of Illinois.