Illinois Valley Times

State Rep. David Welter (R-Morris) urges Illinoisans to add their names to a petition to repeal the SAFE-T Act amid an increase in crime in the state.

Republican lawmakers strongly oppose the criminal justice reform measure, which the General Assembly approved and Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed last year.

According to Injustice Watch, the SAFE-T Act eliminates cash bail for non-violent offenders by next year, prohibits the detention of certain people accused of felonies before they go to trial, and places limitations on Illinois police officers.

The website reported that law enforcement groups and police unions say the bill, which was supported by Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, presents a danger to public safety.

“Crime is rising in Illinois, police officers are under attack, and Democrat policies are making our state less safe,” Welter wrote on Facebook. “It’s time to show the men and women of law enforcement that we have their backs and repeal the SAFE-T Act in Illinois. Sign the petition at https://www.ilhousegop.org/repeal.”

The Chicago City Wire reported that under Foxx, Cook County dismissed 30% of felony charges in her first three years on the job.

According to Illinois Policy Institute President Ted Dabrowski, Foxx is doing less to address the increase in crime, and as a result, the Chicago Loop is seeing fewer visitors.

“I think it’s a real issue,” Dabrowski told Chicago’s Morning Answer, the Chicago City Wire reported. “I hear people say we don’t go down there anymore. People don’t walk around there anymore. They take an Uber everywhere they’re going. It’s really confusing when you hear (authorities) say how much better they’re doing managing felonies when this new report comes out and says just the opposite.”

Chicago experienced 791 homicides last year, which was more than New York City or Los Angeles and the most the city has seen in more than 25 years, ABC7 reported.

The trend appears to not be on the decline in the current year.

NBC Chicago reported that an 8-year-old boy was among a trio of fatalities during the weekend of Jan. 22 and another 13 people sustained injuries from gunshots.