Dupage Policy Journal

HB3447 – Bill passed allowing criminals with potential to kill 1,500 with cashless bail.

Crime has risen in the state of Illinois for years now, as well as drug overdoses. It is very concerning to hear that fentanyl is not taken more seriously. With the passing of the Safe-T Act, allowing people with misdemeanors to have a cashless bail starting January 1, 2023, should be very concerning. This bill is the opposite of keeping our communities safe. Karina Villa, current State Senator of District 25 stated, we “should be looking at and determining who is posing a danger to others”. This was at her press conference encouraging “cashless bail”, and her supporters stating “bail is ransom” at the DuPage County Jail on August 10th, 2022. I attended this press conference with other people in opposition.  

Candidate Heather Brown holding up a yellow sign stating, “stop protecting criminals.”

Villa became a Co-Sponsor to Bill HB3447 on August 8th, 2022; stating 3 grams of fentanyl should be a misdemeanor change and no longer a felony charge. Three grams of fentanyl is equivalent to 3 small sugar packets. This amount could kill up to 1,500 people! When speaking to our local police officers, they are receiving more and more calls of overdoses by kids smoking marijuana that had been laced with fentanyl. In attending our neighborhood watch meetings, I found out 3 tiny grains of salt is equivalent to 3 small pieces of fentanyl of which can kill someone.

For someone to have the quantity of any drug that can kill up to 1,500 people should not be taken delicately! We all know someone who has died of an accidental overdose or know of a family member that has lost someone due to addiction or an accidental overdose. Even those that believe with marijuana being legal now, they do not know the consequences of buying it off the streets.  We need to stand up to the people that have put our children and family members at risk with addiction. Those currently on our mental awareness committee for the state of Illinois, such as Villa, should not be downplaying this serious action upon our communities.