Carbondale Reporter

State Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) is looking to make the most out of what’s shaping up to be one of the shortest legislative sessions in the history of the General Assembly.

“Last week was among the busiest involving House floor action on legislation so far this spring 2022 Legislative Session,” Windhorst posted on Facebook. “Multiple pieces of legislation have moved from 2nd to 3rd reading, and some measures have already advanced to the Senate. There are just six weeks of Session left on the calendar for the spring. This legislative session will be one of the shortest in the history of the General Assembly.”

In his weekly online update, the lawmaker announced his 2022 survey, where he is gathering opinions from constituents on the potential repeal of the SAFE-T Act.

Windhorst also recently joined fellow state Reps. Dave Severin (R-Marion) and Paul Jacobs (R-Pomona) for a law enforcement roundtable that was overseen by House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Burr Ridge). The trio is now sponsoring legislation in the 2022 spring legislative session that would repeal SAFE-T.

Windhorst said it’s what every officer in his district that he’s talked to about the issue wants to see happen.

“What I’m hearing is criminals feel more emboldened not only to offend, but to reoffend in many cases,” Windhorst posted on his website. “We see it in daily news reports, crime is up, drug crimes are up, and violent crimes throughout the state are up.”

Supporting House Bill 4499, which aims to repeal criminal justice provisions included in SAFE-T, Durkin told the DuPage Policy Journal the measure has created a haven for criminals in Illinois while leading to many officers to resign.

"In 2021 alone, almost 900 officers in the state of Illinois left their respective departments," Durkin said, "Seven hundred and seventeen retired and 176 others either resigned or transferred to other police agencies outside the state of Illinois; that's according to the latest figures we have, that will continue."