Carbondale Reporter

State Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis)  is urging the legislature to repeal the SAFE-T Act, which he claims has caused an increase in crime in Illinois.

"We’re now a year out from the passage of the excessively flawed SAFE-T  Act," Windhorst said at a news conference in Carbondale. "Crime is up, our friends and neighbors are less  safe and our law  enforcement officers’ job is harder than it has ever been. Ending cash bail for violent offenders, allowing detained subjects to make un-monitored phone calls, prohibiting arrest for certain criminal offenses and allowing unlimited anonymous complaints against police officers is the wrong path for criminal justice and public safety."

He was joined in the press conference by fellow Republicans Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) and Deanne Mazzochi (R-Westmont).

Windhorst said he and others warned legislators about the impact of the SAFE-T Act.

"We warned them what happened and it has," he said. "Crime is rising, police officers are being shot and killed, murders are up across the state. Innocent victims are in even more dangerous  positions than they were a year ago."

Police officers are retiring early and departments are finding it hard to recruit new officers, Windhorst said.

He urged Democrats to join Republicans to repeal the law.

"With their written statements, it seems some legislative Democrats who supported the original SAFE-T Act may be having a serious case of  buyer's remorse," he said. "I welcome any House Democrat who voted for the original law and now recognizes the error they made to join us. Let's make Illinois a safer place to live, work and raise a family once again."