Coffey, Crouch, Milhiser Voice Concerns Over SAFE-T Act
- Jan 17
- 2 min read
State Representative Mike Coffey joined Sangamon County law-enforcement and judicial leaders to discuss concerns about the impact of Illinois’ SAFE-T Act on public safety and the criminal justice system.
In a video posted to Coffey’s official legislative website, the discussion included Sangamon County Sheriff Paula Crouch and Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser. The conversation focused on how the law’s pretrial provisions, including the elimination of cash bail, are affecting arrests, detention decisions, and victim protection at the local level.
“From a law-enforcement standpoint, the SAFE-T Act has turned our justice system into a revolving door,” Crouch said. “We have almost a revolving door of criminals coming through the jail. If they reach that criteria to get arrested and brought to the jail, they’re released only to re-offend and commit the same types of crimes over and over because it’s almost as if there’s no penalty for committing those crimes.”
Crouch said the lack of detention options under the current law creates safety risks for both deputies and the public, while also limiting the ability to connect offenders with treatment and services. She said individuals are often released within hours, leaving little time to address underlying mental health or substance-abuse issues before they return to the community.
Milhiser echoed those concerns, saying, “The SAFE-T Act has limited our ability to hold offenders accountable and protect victims, Defendants charged with crimes are being released because the law does not give judges the discretion needed to detain offenders. This release is happening before prosecutors can provide intervention and ensure victims and the public are protected. This rapid release cycle is undermining public safety.”
Milhiser said reforms are needed to expand judicial authority and strengthen consequences for violations, emphasizing that detention can serve both public safety and rehabilitation goals. He said judges need broader discretion to detain individuals charged with felony offenses and certain serious misdemeanors, while also ensuring offenders have access to appropriate resources.
Crouch said accountability is essential to deterrence under any criminal justice system. She said crime must carry consequences and that judges need the discretion to detain and hold offenders long enough to both enforce the law and stabilize individuals who pose a risk to themselves or others.
Coffey said he plans to introduce legislation aimed at making changes to the SAFE-T Act, citing the concerns raised by local law-enforcement and prosecutors during the discussion. He said public safety is a foundational requirement for strong communities and long-term growth. The full conversation is available through the video posted on Coffey’s legislative website.
