Homer Glen, IL – State Representative Patrick Sheehan released the following statement after Governor Pritzker repeatedly ignored calls for meaningful SAFE-T Act reforms:
“Governor Pritzker has continued defending the SAFE-T Act while Illinois families have watched devastating headline after devastating headline this year. Governor Pritzker signaled he was open to SAFE-T Act changes but did not push any during the spring legislative session.
Chicago Police Officer John Bartholomew was murdered in the line of duty while serving and protecting his community. Chicago Police Officer Nelson Crespo was also shot in the face and survived only after a bullet became lodged in his neck. The offender was a seven-time convicted felon and a parole absconder.
A woman was heinously set on fire aboard a CTA train. The offender in that case had been arrested 72 times and was still walking the streets. 18-year-old Loyola student Sheridan Gorman was murdered after warning signs and prior criminal behavior had already raised serious concerns. These are real tragedies involving real victims, real families, and real communities. Sadly, they are only part of a list that is getting longer and longer.
As a police officer, I have spent nearly two decades seeing the consequences when public safety takes a back seat. Law enforcement officers across Illinois have been raising concerns since the implementation of the SAFE-T Act. Instead of listening to and pursuing meaningful reforms, Governor Pritzker continues to defend the status quo and vilify law enforcement. Governor Pritzker has previously referred to federal law enforcement as the ‘Gestapo’ and ‘jack booted thugs’.
This horrendous policy is literally being paid for in blood. A Chicago Police Officer is dead and another grievously wounded. What else is it going to take for change to happen?
Illinois families deserve leaders who will acknowledge their failures and take action. The Governor simply refuses to do that. We owe it to every victim, every police officer, and every family affected by violent crime to put public safety first. I’m calling on Governor Pritzker to stand by his word and be willing to finally make changes to the SAFE-T Act before anyone else loses their life.”
Rep. Sheehan proudly serves the people of the 37th District.