Gov. JB Pritzker defends SAFE-T Act, but open to changes in legislative session

By Craig Wall

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WLS) - Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker defended the SAFE-T Act once again while leaving the door open to possible changes during the spring legislative session on Tuesday.

This comes as Republicans ramp up their push for a series of modifications.

Since the Safety Accountability Fairness and Equity Today Act was signed into law, eliminating cash bail in Illinois, there have been some modifications. But the public debate, mainly along party lines, continues about how effective it is. And that will be the case when the legislature reconvenes next week.

With Democrats holding super-majorities in both chambers of the legislature, and having broadly championed the law, it is not clear what, if anything, they would change.

"All I've said, and I think this is always true, I am opening to listening to what changes ought to be made, these are tweaks I believe could be made to the SAFE-T Act, but proposals have to be made in the General Assembly," Pritzker said…read more.