Darren Bailey, Republican candidate for governor of Illinois, said the SAFE-T Act allowed the pretrial release of a man charged with predatory criminal sexual assault of a child in Rockford, calling the case an example of how current state policies contribute to crime and strain public resources.
“A man arrested in Rockford was released under JB Pritzker’s SAFE-T Act,” said Bailey, Republican Gubernatorial Candidate. “Hours later, a child was sexually assaulted. Every time this law puts someone back on the street and something violent or depraved follows, the blame sits squarely with JB and Illinois Democrats.”
According to Bailey, he shared a local news video on X that detailed the case of Doray Kitchen Jr., a 53-year-old Rockford resident charged with predatory criminal sexual assault of a victim under age 13 known to him. Bailey said that Kitchen’s release just hours after turning himself in exemplified failures within the SAFE-T Act.
Rockford is reported to have one of the highest crime rates in Illinois, with a total crime index indicating it is safer than only 5% of U.S. cities. In 2024, the violent crime rate was noted at 1162 per 100,000 residents, including assaults at 967 per 100,000—figures that far exceed national averages. This situation highlights concerns over policies like pre-trial release exacerbating local safety issues amid burdensome property taxes that fail to enhance public security.
Illinois homeowners are subject to the nation’s highest effective property tax rate at 1.83%, resulting in an average annual bill of $4,584 on a median-priced home valued at $250,500. This financial burden funds expansive government programs under Governor J.B. Pritzker’s administration, including sanctuary policies and welfare initiatives. However, these efforts have not addressed rising crime linked to reforms such as the SAFE-T Act and have prompted some residents to relocate to neighboring states with lower tax rates.
In McHenry County, Illinois, data indicates that the SAFE-T Act led to a 30% increase in crimes committed by individuals on pre-trial release compared to periods when cash bail was used. Additionally, there was a reported 280% rise in failures to appear and a 35% reduction in victim restitution. These statistics reflect broader issues associated with cash bail reform where studies show increased recidivism among defendants with recent violent histories.
Bailey is an American farmer from southern Illinois who served in both the Illinois House of Representatives and Senate before running unsuccessfully for governor in 2022. He is currently campaigning for the Republican primary for governor set for 2026.
