Dupage Policy Journal

DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick discussed some legal changes that will take place on Jan. 1 with the implementation of the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act at a recent public safety event hosted by state Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst).

The legislation is intended to level the playing field for cash bail when it comes to certain crimes such as drug offenses.

“I'll process them and then put them back out while they're still high on dope into the city of Wheaton, because I won't have the legal standing to hold these people,” Mendrick said in a video of the event posted on Mazzochis Facebook page. “So instead of rehab, you get catch and release...It's statewide...No cash bail, can't hold on B and C misdemeanors - that means trespass, criminal damage to real property, telephone harassment, internet harassment...[we write] tickets and then we leave.”

Mendrick, in response to the upcoming new law, warned business owners to seriously consider new safety measures even though they might be expensive. He also noted that the extra costs imposed by the SAFE-T Act will add to his department’s budget, with the burden ultimately falling on taxpayers.

"At my recent public safety event, many of you either had a lot of questions about the SAFE-T Act or were completely unaware of the changes coming to state criminal laws on January 1st," Mazzochi said in the post. "DuPage County's successful efforts in dealing with crime and mental health are about to be hamstrung by a statewide law."

Supporters of the SAFE-T Act, including the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, believe the legislation will make the justice system more equitable for minorities; a Capitol News Illinois report said. Opponents claim the elimination of cash bail will lead to more criminals out on the streets, with Republicans calling the SAFE-T Act a “de facto defund the police bill" because of the additional regulations it places on police officers.

Gov. JB Pritzker recently defended the elimination of cash bail, a report from The Center Square said.

"We do not want someone in jail because they were arrested for a low-level crime like shoplifting to be sitting in jail for months or maybe even years," he said. "At the same time, someone who is a wealthy drug dealer, perhaps accused of murder and arrested, can show up with a suitcase full of money and get out of jail."