Excerpts from fox32chicago.com:
The Orland Fire Protection District Board of Trustees denounced the adoption of the Illinois Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today Act (SAFE-T ACT) stating that it reduces punishments and accountability for criminals and undermines the authority of police.
The new law that goes into effect Jan. 1, 2023, gets rid of cash bail entirely. It also limits who can be arrested and held in jail based on the crime they are alleged to have committed. Many members of the law enforcement community are working to have the current law amended.
Those who are in support of the law say it’s wrong to keep people in jail simply because they can’t afford bail.
The Orland Fire Protection District Board will vote to approve a resolution during a Sept. 27 board meeting — urging the legislature to repeal the law.
thanks Martin
#1 by MABAS 21 on September 21, 2022 - 7:16 PM
Then why are a large majority of law enforcement agencies and police Chiefs against this bill?
#2 by Localguy on September 21, 2022 - 6:41 PM
And so you know, I get my info from tiktok.
#3 by Localguy on September 21, 2022 - 6:08 PM
None of this is coming from Facebook, as I don’t have Facebook. Language changes didn’t happen till all the backlash from the public. Also this bill was signed into law in 2021. The language has changes in the last few weeks. If you think our politicians are trust worthy that’s on you.
#4 by Gerald on September 21, 2022 - 5:38 PM
Joe,
Thank you for providing a concise and accurate description of what the bill actually holds. No need to take it down, Localguy is probably getting his information from facebook posts… And saying that that “changes have been made” just points out his (Localguy) lack of understanding of how legislation at all levels actually works.
The sky is not falling. Judges will still have the purview/discretion to hold defendants that are a danger to the public or a flight risk. Other states have been doing the same or similar and haven’t burned to the ground.
Illinois and Chicago certainly have their problems, but this is a step to assure that any offender, regardless of their income, will be treated equally based on their crimes.
#5 by Sam Elliot on September 21, 2022 - 3:31 PM
It comes down to a Judge actually requiring the offender to post cash bail if it’s a detainable offense. We all know that won’t happen with this current administration. All these Democratic Judges aren’t going to take a chance and actually sign a court document to label a offender as a flight risk. People will start screaming their racist and they can’t risk that for their reelection campaign. They all will keep doing what they always do and let the criminals roam free.
#6 by Joe on September 21, 2022 - 1:52 PM
Yes, Localguy, there have been changes from when the bill was first proposed, but that’s common with almost all legislation. A lawmaker proposes legislation, negotiations happen within the lawmaking bodies, and then a final bill is passed and signed in to law. We can’t worry about what a law doesn’t say just because at one point draft legislation said something different. The law itself says, pretrial release can still be denied when any defendant “poses a specific, real and present threat to any person or the community.” Why would we be concerned with something that the law itself does not say?
If you can find the part of my post that’s incorrect and cite a source that proves it’s incorrect, I’ll be happy to ask the admin of this page to pull or edit my last post. As my sources are directly from the bill, from the Governor’s office, and from reputable news organizations, I’m confident that what I said is correct.
#7 by Localguy on September 21, 2022 - 12:55 PM
Speaking of misinformation Joe, you need to take you incorrect post down bc what you have posted isn’t all correct either. Go back and actually read the bill. There’s more to it than what you posted. A lot more. You’re painting a very small somewhat incorrect picture for those reading this. Also there’s been so much backlash over this, they have actually changes the language in the bill. When it first came out it didn’t state someone could be held if they were thought to be a threat to the community. It said if they were a threat to a specific identifiable person.
#8 by Joe on September 21, 2022 - 12:38 PM
“There is no such thing as a “non-detainable” offense. Any alleged offender could be detained because of a risk of flight or because they are a repeat offender and those charged with the most serious crimes – which are non-probationable – can also be detained for risk to public safety.” – Spokesman for the Governor’s office. Directly from the bill itself: pretrial release can still be denied when any defendant “poses a specific, real and present threat to any person or the community.” Furthermore, people charged with domestic violence can be held for 24 to 48 hours to allow the judge to review evidence for a hearing to determine whether the accused should be incarcerated or released, based on their perceived risk to others.
Dennis, you’re right, there will be no cash bond available for someone charged with arson, but that does not mean that person cannot be detained pending trial if a judge feels they are at risk of reoffending or are a flight risk. The bill is not unsafe for everyone—requiring cash bail and incarceration has not proven to reduce crimes including violent crimes.
There is a lot of misinformation going around about what this law does and does not do.
#9 by FS1320 on September 21, 2022 - 10:57 AM
You have to read more than just this excerpt from the news and read what the position of the Orland board is. It has to do with first responders coming into contact with criminals that should be in jail awaiting trial, but due to the new safe-t-act, these people will be on the streets. Most criminals don’t just commit one crime and stop, they continue to commit crimes and could jeopardize the safety of the public and first responders.
#10 by Dennis on September 21, 2022 - 7:32 AM
Mike, arson is one of the crimes that there will be no more bond set for. That’s how it effects Orland.
#11 by Tim on September 21, 2022 - 4:53 AM
They’re making a point that the bill is unsafe to everyone.
#12 by Tom on September 20, 2022 - 9:01 PM
Mike, Arson investigators carry.
I believe Rosemont & Glencoe are the only two Public Safety Departments left around here?
#13 by Harry on September 20, 2022 - 8:41 PM
Mike I know nothing about orland but I know Rosemont the officer on the engine or truck are armed with a hand gun while in the rig or station because they are public safety
#14 by Mike on September 20, 2022 - 8:31 PM
I’m scratching my head at this one. Someone tell me what does this law have to do with the fire district? They aren’t PSO’s and firefighters don’t carry guns or arrest people. I’m very confused.