1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

The recent horrific attack on Bethany MaGee, a young woman set on fire on a CTA train in Chicago's Loop, has exposed critical flaws in our criminal justice system that demand immediate attention. The alleged perpetrator, Lawrence Reed, had been arrested 72 times previously and was on electronic monitoring for a separate crime at the time of the attack. This incident starkly illustrates the dangers posed by certain provisions of the SAFE-T Act, particularly those related to cashless bail and increased pre-trial release. While I acknowledge that some elements of the SAFE-T Act, such as the use of body cameras, are beneficial, the Act's approach to pre-trial detention is putting Illinois residents and visitors at unnecessary risk. The case of Lawrence Reed is not an isolated incident. Court documents reveal that Reed had violated his curfew multiple times before the attack, including on the very day of the incident. This raises serious questions about the effectiveness of Cook County's electronic monitoring system and the wisdom of releasing potentially dangerous individuals. It's crucial to note that the Cook County State's Attorney's Office had previously requested Reed be detained for a violent crime, but a judge denied this request. This decision, made possible by the SAFE-T Act's provisions, directly contributed to the circumstances that allowed Reed to allegedly commit this heinous act against Ms. MaGee. While proponents of the Act, including Governor Pritzker, argue that it gives judges the ability to keep potentially dangerous individuals in jail, the reality on the ground tells a different story. The transfer of the electronic monitoring system from the Sheriff's Office to the Office of the Chief Judge has further complicated matters, with the Chief Judge's office now reviewing procedures and considering reinstating practices that could have prevented this tragedy. I urge you to take immediate action to amend the SAFE-T Act. We need a balanced approach that maintains the positive elements of the Act while addressing its dangerous shortcomings. Specifically, I ask that you: 1. Revise the cashless bail and pre-trial release provisions to prioritize public safety. 2. Strengthen the electronic monitoring system, potentially returning it to the Sheriff's Office as suggested by Teamsters Local 700. 3. Provide judges with clearer guidelines and more discretion to detain individuals with extensive criminal histories or those accused of violent crimes. The safety of Illinois residents must be our top priority. While Cook County court data shows that 94% of people released pretrial since the Pretrial Fairness Act have not been charged with new violent crimes, we cannot ignore the devastating impact of the 6% who do reoffend. One tragedy like what happened to Bethany MaGee is one too many. I implore you to act swiftly. The lives and safety of your constituents depend on your willingness to recognize the flaws in the current system and take decisive action to correct them. Amend the SAFE-T Act now to protect Illinois residents and visitors from violent offenders while maintaining the Act's positive reforms.