Homer Glen, IL…State Representative Patrick Sheehan, a police officer with nearly two decades of experience, joined House Republican leaders and members of the Truth in Public Safety (TIPS) Working Group in formally urging Governor JB Pritzker to work with lawmakers on meaningful improvements to Illinois’ SAFE-T Act in order to strengthen public safety and restore accountability in the pretrial system.
“The SAFE-T Act has revealed serious flaws in how Illinois handles pretrial release, repeat offenders, and violations of court-ordered conditions,” said Rep. Sheehan. “Our goal is to protect innocent people, support law enforcement, and ensure that accountability exists when someone violates the trust of the system.”
In a letter sent to the Governor this week, Rep. Sheehan and his colleagues acknowledged the Governor’s recent comments indicating openness to changes to the SAFE-T Act and offered a detailed set of legislative proposals developed by law enforcement professionals and experienced prosecutors in the caucus. The proposals focus on closing gaps that have placed communities, victims, and first responders at risk since the law took effect.
The letter outlines several targeted reforms, including allowing state’s attorneys to seek revocation of pretrial release when conditions are violated, expanding offenses eligible for pretrial detention, restoring warrants when individuals fail to appear in court, and strengthening protections for victims, particularly in cases involving domestic violence and crimes against children.
“These are practical solutions shaped by decades of real-world experience,” Rep. Sheehan said. “They reflect what police officers, prosecutors, and communities have been asking for—clear authority, clear consequences, and laws that put public safety first.”
The House Republican TIPS Working Group has met consistently across multiple General Assemblies to review crime trends, gather stakeholder input, and draft bipartisan solutions. Members are now calling on the Governor and legislative leadership to engage in good-faith discussions and move these reforms forward.
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