Dupage Policy Journal

Tonight, Breakthrough Ideas is hosting a town hall featuring prominent voices in law enforcement and in the community in Glen Ellyn to inform citizens of the consequences of the SAFE-T Act set to take effect on Jan. 1.

The event is free, but no more reservations are being accepted as registration has already reached the maximum capacity. The presentation will be streamed online on the Breakthrough Ideas Facebook page and will be recorded for viewing after the event on the group's website.

"On October 13, 2022 Breakthrough Ideas is hosting a town hall on the SAFE-T Act at Abington Banquets in Glen Ellyn," the organization promoted. "Doors open at 6:30pm and the presentation begins at 7pm. The presentation by our expert panel will be followed by taking questions from the audience. The expert panel includes: Matt Rosenberg - author of What's Next Chicago? Notes of a Pissed-Off Native Son and researcher and writer with Wirepoints with an emphasis on crime statistics and stories, Sheriff James Mendrick - DuPage County Sheriff, State's Attorney Bob Berlin - DuPage County State's Attorney, Judge Dave Carlson - Will County Judge for the Criminal Court, and Pastor Corey Brooks - Pastor of New Beginnings Church of Chicago and Founder and CEO of, Project H.O.O.D. Over 450 people are registered for the event." 

The town hall will take place at Abbington Distinctive Banquets located at 3S002 IL Route 53 in Glen Ellyn from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be free appetizers and a cash bar. 

Should the bill take effect, people charged with crimes including kidnapping, robbery, and second-degree murder will be released. Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow is warning about the dire effects the bill will have on the State. 

"I have 640 people in the Will County jail. All their bonds will be extinguished on Jan. 1, and 60 are charged with murder,” Glasgow warned.

Illinois GOP Chairman Don Tracy shared a moment of bi-partisan unity with Democrat Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow, when they both opposed the SAFE-T Act, Tracy said in a memo: "You’re right, James. Any ‘normal sane person’ would say a law immediately releasing violent criminals onto our streets to commit more acts of violence is 'absurd' and 'ridiculous.' More importantly, it doesn’t keep our communities safe...Four more years of J.B. Pritzker is dangerous for Illinois." 

The law has come under criticism from numerous law enforcement officials in the state, including Lombard Police Chief Roy Newton and several other state's attorneys. This comes as State Sen. Kimberly Langford, of Maywood, a supporter of the bill, was carjacked in December 2021.

Ives, a former State Representative and a former candidate for governor, endorsed Darren Bailey in the GOP Gubernatorial primary held this past June. Ives said, "Darren is the only conservative reformer in the race with a record to stand on." Ives, Prairie State Wire reported, applauded Bailey for standing up to Gov. Pritzker when no one else would; they also credited Bailey with ending Pritzker's mask mandate in schools after Bailey challenged it in court. Ives also ripped into Republican State Rep. Avery Bourne, who was Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin's running mate in the primary, over her support of Pritzker's mask mandates.