The McHenry County Sheriff and State’s Attorney say they welcome changes to the SAFE-T Act after Governor JB Pritzker signaled a willingness to revisit the controversial legislation.
Sheriff Robb Tadelman and State’s Attorney Randi Freese say those directly involved in the criminal justice system - prosecutors, police, judges, and victims’ advocates – were left out when the legislation was crafted, and they need to be part of the discussion.
The Executive Director of the Illinois Sheriff’s Association agrees.
“We were obviously very opposed to the SAFE-T Act,” said Jim Kaitschuk.
“And we are certainly willing to work with the Governor to address issues that we think are still major concerns.”
He said those include “the list of detainable offenses, giving additional discretion to judges to evaluate each individual and their case against them and to make a determination as to whether or not they should be held. Obviously, we have concerns too about the complete elimination of cash bail.”
Governor JB Pritzker was asked about potential changes to the law after a woman was set on fire on a CTA train, allegedly by a man with a long history of repeat offenses.
“Sometimes bills get passed and everybody that votes for it knows that there needs to be a trailer bill or a tweak that needs to be made afterwards,” the Governor said. "So I think everybody is open to listening to what changes might need to be made.”
A statement from Sheriff Robb Tadelman and State’s Attorney Randi Freese, reads, in part, “individuals charged with violent crimes are often released with minimal conditions, limited supervision, and little certainty they will return to court. Victims notice this first, and their trust in the system is shaken."
Here’s the full statement:
McHenry County, IL — Governor JB Pritzker recently signaled he is open
to revisiting the SAFE-T Act. We welcome that openness.
Improving
public safety begins with a willingness to recognize when a law needs
adjustment.
Before the SAFE-T Act, McHenry County’s justice system operated with
balance, accountability, and strong coordination among law
enforcement, prosecutors, and the courts. That approach helped make
our county one of the safest in Illinois. When the Act was passed,
many of the people who work with victims and offenders every day were
not included in shaping it—and the result has been a system that is
harder for all of us to navigate, especially victims.
A fair system depends on each part of government being allowed to do
its job responsibly. Judges must have space to interpret the law for
their communities, prosecutors must be able to advocate for victims,
and law enforcement must be able to protect the public. When a single
statewide bill overregulates or limits that flexibility, it creates a
one-size-fits-all model that doesn’t reflect the unique needs of
counties across Illinois.
The concern is not the hearing structure itself—it’s that individuals
charged with violent crimes are often released with minimal
conditions, limited supervision, and little certainty they will return
to court. Victims notice this first, and their trust in the system is
shaken.
Reform can absolutely work—but it must be collaborative. Victims
deserve a system that puts their safety first, respects the judgment
of local officials, and ensures violent offenders remain accountable.
That requires returning practical tools and decision-making authority
to the people on the ground who understand their communities best.
We encourage the Governor and legislators to work directly with local
prosecutors, law enforcement leaders, judges, and victims’ advocates
as they consider revisions. McHenry County stands ready to help craft
reforms that strengthen accountability, restore balance, and keep
Illinois families safe.
With honest partnership and respect for how communities differ, we can
build a justice system that truly serves the people of Illinois.