North Cook News

State Sen. Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is pushing a package of law enforcement bills recently proposed by Democrats. 

"Law enforcement officers bravely risk their lives every day to keep our communities safe," Murphy said in a press release on her website. "I am proud to support legislation aiming to keep them safe in the line of duty, and make sure they have the tools they need to address rising crime rates. Our law enforcement officers are willing to protect us at great cost to their own safety. I'm happy to stand up and advocate for their concerns and needs." 

Earlier this week, Illinois Democrats unveiled a package of bills aimed at supporting law enforcement and first responders, WAND reported. The proposals include more funding for mental health services for first responders, funding for police officer recruitment and training, extra body camera video storage, and pension reform. 

Republican lawmakers though see the measures as election-year politics.

"Some of the stuff is really disingenuous by the Democrats, who have voted against our police for several years now, and now when they're up for what could be a serious election, they're coming out with these quote unquote 'police bills'," Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) told WAND.

Republicans have repeatedly called for the repeal of the SAFE-T Act, but Democrats seem unwilling to repeal it.

Among other measures, the Illinois Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act eliminates cash bail by 2023, allows certain people accused of felonies to not have to be detained before trial, and imposes restrictions on Illinois police officers. Law enforcement groups and police unions stated that the SAFE-T Act poses a threat to public safety, according to Injustice Watch.

SafeWise's 2022 annual State of Safety survey found that only 42% of Illinois residents report feeling safe, while 64% reported feeling "high daily concern" for their safety. Thirteen percent of respondents reported experiencing gun violence firsthand, an increase from 8% the previous year. Mass shooting incidents in Illinois increased by 25% from 2020 to 2021.