Prairie State Wire

Despite backlash and criticism from all corners of the state, House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch is continuing to back the SAFE-T Act.

The Act, set to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2023, will result in the release of thousands of those awaiting trial for serious crimes across the state and includes other measures many are saying would necessitate tax increases.  

Welch, who helped push through the 750-page bill in the middle of the night, vowed to see the SAFE-T Act through in remarks at a recent press conference.

“The SAFE-T Act is historic legislation, historic,” Welch said in a recent press conference, The Center Square reported. “It's legislation that empowers judges and removes access to money from the equation. But some candidates are crassly trying to turn that into something ugly. In the House, we've already passed three trailer bills for the SAFE-T Act. Three! That's what democracy looks like. But let me tell you what we're not going to do. We're not going to allow lies, fear and misinformation to take the place of smart decision making.”

Meanwhile, 100 of 102 of the state top prosecutors and law enforcement officers say the bill will allow for criminals who should be locked up to roam the streets.

Welch, along with other top Democrat officials, were named in a lawsuit filed by 50 state’s attorneys over the constitutionality of the “no-cash bail” portion of the SAFE-T Act.

McHenry County State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally filed the lawsuit, Prairie State Wire reported.

“To many in law enforcement, this was a political ambush,” Kenneally told WTTW. “All of a sudden at the 11th hour in lame duck session (in January 2021), they sprung this thing. They strong-armed and excluded prosecutors, as well as police, as well as other people involved in the criminal justice system from any type of negotiations. They forced this thing through and now we’re left with the fallout.”

Many have questioned how quickly the bill passed. 

“Within three days it’s passed by both houses. I think it is impossible that a 750-page bill can be pushed through that fast. I don’t think you could accomplish what the speaker is talking about,” attorney General candidate Tom DeVore said in a Facebook video.

Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart appeared alongside Welch in defense of the SAFE-T Act.

“No state’s attorney will ever have to tell a victim of sexual violence that their perpetrator may post cash, ever. Because a judge can detain somebody and a motion is filed and it won’t be about cash,” Rinehart said.  

The statute should be repealed or modified, according to 100 of the 102 state attorneys.

Rinehart and Kim Foxx of Cook County are the only two outliers, Madison-St. Clair Record reported. Both received campaign funding from an aggressive campaign to install “activist” prosecutors who are more friendly to criminal interests.

Welch’s own history as an alleged domestic abuse perpetrator has been discussed in context of this bill and others.

In a 2002 police complaint detailing an alleged domestic violence incident by Welch against his then-girlfriend, Hillside police mentioned Welch by name.

Welch, who is now 51, was 31 when the Hillside police report was made.

It stated that Welch had viciously attacked his girlfriend and “grabbed her hair with both hands while in the kitchen and proceeded to slam her head backwards several times on the countertop.”

From the police report: “I explained to (name redacted) once again what would be done now that Welch was in custody and she again reiterated that she wanted Welch charged with both counts of domestic battery and unlawful restraint.”