County Board candidate Galassi on SAFE-T Act: I am 'committed to fighting for the safest DuPage possible'

Kari Galassi, Republican candidate for DuPage County Board District 3, said a downtown Hinsdale burglary highlights concerns she has raised about the state's pretrial detention rules and that she supports changes to improve public safety.

"The burglary at Kelsey's Boutique in downtown Hinsdale is a troubling example of the consequences of the Illinois SAFE—T Act," said Galassi, DuPage County Board Member from 3rd District (R). "Under current law, burglary is not a detainable offense, so the individuals who committed this crime could not be detained. We must do everything possible to fix these laws and ensure our residents, businesses, and communities are safe. I am committed to fighting for the safest DuPage possible."

The SAFE-T Act, enacted in Illinois in 2021, is a comprehensive criminal justice reform law that impacts policing, pretrial procedures, sentencing, and corrections. A significant aspect of this law is the new standards for pretrial decision-making. These standards determine when prosecutors can seek detention and when courts may deny pretrial release based on safety or flight-risk assessments. The law has undergone amendments to clarify its implementation.

According to The Hinsdalean, Hinsdale police interrupted a burglary at Kelsey’s on South Washington Street around 3:36 a.m., resulting in four felony arrests. Three suspects were released by the next afternoon, while an alleged getaway driver remained in custody at the DuPage County Jail with charges including aggravated fleeing. Police recovered five garbage bags of stolen property from a vehicle linked to the incident.

Illinois statute 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1 specifies conditions under which courts may deny pretrial release after a verified petition by the State. This includes forcible felonies and other charges where there is an alleged "real and present threat" or high likelihood of willful flight. Residential burglary and burglaries involving force are among offenses listed under this statute.

Galassi serves on the DuPage County Board representing District 3 and is involved in committees such as Finance, Public Works, and Legislative. Her background includes passing the CPA exam and residing in Hinsdale.