State Rep. Coffey Joins Sheriff Paula Crouch and State’s Attorney John Milhiser to Raise Concerns on SAFE-T Act

Springfield, IL…State Representative Mike Coffey (R-Springfield) held a press conference with Sangamon County Sheriff Paula Crouch and State's Attorney John Milhiser to highlight the ways the SAFE-T Act is negatively affecting communities across Illinois. The SAFE-T Act has been met with criticism since going into effect in September of 2023. Many State's Attorneys and Sheriffs across Illinois have expressed opposition to it, as they believe provisions in the SAFE-T Act increase crime and jeopardize public safety.

"Sheriff Crouch, State's Attorney Milhiser and I share the same objective - to make our communities in Sangamon County and across Illinois safer," said Rep. Coffey. "Since the SAFE-T Act was signed into law, our judges have lost authority to keep some dangerous criminals behind bars. I filed legislation that would give that power back to judges, so repeat offenders are not let back into our communities to continue to commit crimes. "

House Bill 4275 was filed by Rep. Coffey to give judges the ability to detain offenders accused of a felony offense and close the "revolving door" for repeat offenders.

"The SAFE-T Act has turned our justice system into a revolving door," said Sangamon County Sheriff Paula Crouch. "Our deputies arrest individuals for serious crimes, and far too often those same offenders are back on the street within hours. That cycle helps no one - not the victims who deserve justice, and not the offenders who need intervention and accountability."

Sangamon County State's Attorney John Milhiser said the SAFE-T Act has made it more difficult for judges to keep offenders behind bars.

"The SAFE-T Act has limited our ability to hold offenders accountable and protect victims," said Milhiser. "Defendants charged with crimes are being released because the law does not give judges the discretion needed to detain offenders. We should at least allow for detention for felony offenses while our courts ensure that violations carry meaningful penalties."

WATCH : https://bit.ly/4pOei5K

For more information contact Rep. Coffey's office at 217-782-0053 or[email protected].

Representative Mike Coffey serves the constituents of Illinois' 95th House District that includes parts of Sangamon County, including portions of the City of Springfield and Villages of Chatham and Rochester as well as parts of Macon and Christian Counties.

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