State’s Attorney & Public Defender react to pausing of SAFE-T Act

The SAFE-T Act was signed into law in 2021 by Governor Pritzker. Backers of the law say it’s aimed at ending systemic racism in the criminal justice system. Critics of the law say it’s pro-criminal and anti-police. A major provision of the law is the end of cash bail in the state. But in October, several States Attorneys filed a lawsuit, calling the law unconstitutional. Just before the new year, the Illinois Supreme Court prevented the cash bail aspect of the law from going into effect as it prepares to examine pretrial release provisions. 

GUESTS:

J. Hanley

Winnebago County State’s Attorney

Garien Gatewood

Executive Director, Illinois Justice Project

Sharone Mitchell

Cook County Chief Public Defender

Prepared for web by Owen Henderson

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