South Central Reporter

State Sen. Steve McClure (R-Jacksonville) argues the criminal justice and police reform bill passed into law by Democrats actually serves to make the state less safe.

“Poorly thought-out changes to bail were terrible for Cook County,” McClure said during a recent news conference in which Republican lawmakers released their own criminal reform measures. "Finally, we are calling for the repeal of the cash bail provisions found in the Democrats' anti-police package that they passed a year ago.”

In addition to eliminating the cash-bail system, the SAFE-T Act House Republicans are now seeking to repeal also changes the way allegations of police conduct are handled.

“Enabling our law enforcement to do their jobs is just the first step in curbing the violent crime in our streets,” McClure said. “Our package also seeks to hold violent criminals accountable for their actions. We proposed 10-to-life sentences for violent gun offenses. Ten years for the first conviction and life for subsequent convictions. We are also advocating for a mandatory minimum of 10 years for people providing guns to convicted felons.

Estimates are since the passage of SAFE-T Act, the number of released defendants in Cook County charged with committing new crimes jumped by 45 percent. In addition, the number of suspects granted pretrial releases charged with committing new violent crimes rose by an estimated 33%.

“This is not a pattern we want to spread throughout the entire state,” McClure said. “We need to empower judges with the tools they need to keep dangerous criminals behind bars and these are reasonable proposals that specifically target major issues and needs within our communities.”

While supporting repeal efforts, state Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Westmont) is also urging Democrats to come back to the table to negotiate a new bill in the best interest of the state.

“You can’t pass a bill designed to defund, demoralize and decertify police officers and expect that much good is going to come of that,” she said. “We can get this right. We can come together to carefully consider the right action we can take that is going to promote second chances for people, but is also going to protect our residents.”

After the press conference, the Legislative Black Caucus released a statement that said the SAFE-T Act made the justice system fairer for minorities. 

The caucus also said complaints from Republicans were premature.

“Many provisions of the SAFE-T Act have not even gone into effect yet," the Caucus said, "proving the Republican gambit is all for show.”