Newly reformed SAFE-T Act signed by IL Gov. Pritzker; What this means for southern IL

JACKSON COUNTY, Ill. (KBSI) – The Illinois’ SAFE-T Act — which stands for “Safety, Accountability, Fairness, and Equity Today,” was signed into law February 2021 by Governor JB Pritzker.

Recently, the act was amended and signed by Gov. Pritzker. Parts of the bill went into effect starting January first of 2023.

However, the Illinois Supreme Court has ruled it unconstitutional. There have yet to be any dates cemented for any appeals process.

Jackson County State’s Attorney Joseph Cervantez says the act is still a cause for concern for what the act might mean for the criminal justice system.

“Definitely a cause for division, about how no cash bail affects the criminal justice system,” said Cervantez.

The nearly 800-page reform act enacts extensive reform impacting many areas of the criminal justice system, including pre-arrest diversion, policing, pretrial, sentencing and corrections.

“It has to be done the right way,” Cervantez said. “It has to be done constitutionally, and it has to be done to protect. Not just the defendant, but also the community, and the victim.”

The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority is tasked with implementing several of the act’s provisions as well as serving on the various task forces.

“While people will be able to bond out without cash, there would be a great number of people who are still in jail with no bond at all. So, there’s a way that we have to walk that line, and make sure that the justice system works for everyone,” Cervantez said.

For Cervantez, the biggest cause for concern is for the people.

“No matter the debate, no matter the argument, no matter the discussions. Meanwhile, we’re here to make sure the public is safe,” he said.