Dupage Policy Journal

State Rep. Amy Grant (R-West Chicago) recently commented on the increase in crime throughout Illinois, placing blame on the SAFE-T Act being passed in 2021.

The Illinois Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act eliminates cash bail by 2023, allows certain people accused of felonies not to have to be detained before trial, and imposes restrictions on Illinois police officers. Law enforcement groups and police unions stated that the SAFE-T Act poses a threat to public safety. Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx supported the legislation, according to Injustice Watch.

“Since the passage of the SAFE-T Act last year, we have seen violent crime rise across the state," Grant said in her Facebook post. "We must support law enforcement at every level and provide them with the tools they need to keep our communities safe.”

There were 797 homicides in Chicago in 2021, which was more than New York or Los Angeles and the most the city has seen since 1996. The city saw 3,561 shooting incidents in 2021, which was 1,415 more than in 2019, according to ABC.

DuPage County experienced 9 homicides last year, according to the city website.

According to Fox32 Chicago, During the first weekend of 2022, 6 people in Chicago were killed by gunfire and another 25 were wounded. Among the dead is a 12-year-old boy who was shot in the chest while sitting in an Englewood home. Other murder victims include a 22-year-old man who was found shot in the back in an alley, a woman who was found shot in the head in an alley, and a 40-year-old man who was shot in the face.

According to Chicago City Wire, Foxx has dropped all charges against 30% of felony defendants.

Grant is a Republican who represents Illinois' 42nd District. Before serving in the House of Representatives, Grant served on the County Board for DuPage from 2012 to 2018.