Wayne County Sheriff Chris Otey has joined sheriffs from across Illinois in supporting collaborative efforts to revise portions of the SAFE-T Act, emphasizing the need to strengthen public safety, judicial authority, and community trust.
In a statement released Thursday, Otey said Illinois sheriffs welcome Governor JB Pritzker’s recent openness to considering changes to the law following several high-profile incidents that raised new concerns about its real-world impact. Otey said frontline law-enforcement officers see firsthand how policy decisions affect victims, communities, and the criminal justice system, noting that reforms must function effectively and safely.
Illinois sheriffs are formally requesting the following improvements:
• Expanded Judicial Discretion in Pretrial Detention
Sheriffs argue judges should have broader authority to detain individuals based on case facts, criminal history, and victim input — not only on a limited list of qualifying offenses.
• Expanded List of Detainable Offenses
Under current statute, many charges that may pose a risk to the public cannot be considered for detention. Sheriffs say an expanded list would better reflect real-world safety concerns.
• Address Financial Gaps Created by Elimination of Cash Bail
Counties have lost revenue previously generated by cash bail, which helped fund court administration, jail staffing, victim services, and enforcement. Sheriffs say a new funding model is needed.
• Improved Transparency in Sentencing
Sheriffs are calling for clearer public information about how sentencing credit, good-time allowances, and other adjustments affect actual time served.
Otey stressed that sheriffs are not seeking to undo reforms, but to ensure they work as intended without unintentionally placing communities, victims, or officers at risk. “We are committed to being constructive partners in developing solutions that keep Illinois safe and support a justice system the public can rely on,” Otey said.
For more information, contact the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office at 618-842-6631