Explaining The SAFE-T Act Debate

The Safe-T Act, if enacted, will have a number of impacts on the system of criminal justice within Illinois. Virtually all of them will reduce the ability of police, prosecutors and judges to meaningfully address crime. As McHenry County State's Attorney Patrick Kenneally wrote in a lawsuit challenging the Safe-T act filed September 19, 2022, " To many in law enforcement and many Illinoisans, the sudden and unexpected enactment of HB 3653 was a political ambush. An ambush orchestrated by a dogmatic group of legislators in league with equally dogmatic and PR savvy NGOs dedicated to the well-bei...