Dupage Policy Journal

Naperville 203 parent John Blakey is encouraging the school system to get involved in advocating against the soon to be enacted SAFE-T Act.

The controversial bill will result in the release of tens of thousands of alleged criminals awaiting trial.

Prosecutors and law enforcement are noting due to the limitations on holding criminals and alleged criminals – even for the worst crimes – law and order in already at risk communities will continue to diminish.

“I want educators, parents and kids in District 2 or 3 to know that the SAFE-T Act, which is a bill signed into law by Gov. Pritzker in the name of equity, comes into effect in January 2023,” Blakey told the school board on Oct. 3. “And based on feedback from many law enforcement experts, will make our communities and schools less safe. The act eliminates pretrial cash bonds, meaning that criminals arrested for the following crimes will be charged and then could be released as they await trial: Second-degree murder, arson, carjacking, robbery and threatening a public official. Trespassing laws will also make it harder for police and building owners to remove people from their property. This includes schools.”

Blakey said it's important for parents to educate themselves.

“To give an example, Will County State Attorney Jim Glasgow, a Democrat, warned at a speech in Naperville that I have 640 people in jail. All our bonds will be extinguished on Jan. 1, and 60 of these are charged with murder. So according to police, the CAFTA will actually make our communities less safe,” he said. “Illinois has sought advice from experts, including DuPage County Sheriff McKendrick. We are very concerned, I must say, in District 2 or 3 board to advise what they have done to understand how this act might affect operation of our schools after Jan. 20, after Jan. 1, including any advice they've sought from Naperville Police Department.”

“Mr. Blakey spoke to @Naperville203 BOE 10/3/22 re/community concerns with @GovPritzker / @TheDemocrats SAFE-T Act and comprehensive sex ed. He asks parents to pay attention to the impact these decisions have on their children's safety, education and future,” Awake IL posted on Twitter.

Top Democrat officials were named in a lawsuit filed by 50 state’s attorneys over the constitutionality of the “no-cash bail” portion of the SAFE-T Act.

McHenry County State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally filed the lawsuit on behalf of 50 state’s attorneys.

“To many in law enforcement, this was a political ambush,” Kenneally told WTTW, Prairie State Wire reported. “All of a sudden at the 11th hour in lame duck session (in January 2021), they sprung this thing. They strong-armed and excluded prosecutors, as well as police, as well as other people involved in the criminal justice system from any type of negotiations. They forced this thing through and now we’re left with the fallout.”

Other school systems have already seen the effects of increased crime from lax prosecutors and law enforcement.

One suburban school recently had a community meeting in which parents discussed middle schoolers bringing guns to school and holding up other students.

“Middle schoolers have been beat up at gunpoint behind buildings. They treat the children as each could be holding onto weapons now. No more lockers, clear backpacks, yet still kids are bringing guns to school. Parents are saying since the kids have to carry all their books in the backpacks that they’re breaking quickly,” State Senate District 25 Heather Brown said of school violence at West Chicago School District No. 33, according to West Central Reporter.