Natalie Manley Praises SAFE-T Act Ruling, Jim Glasgow Does Not

JOLIET, IL ? State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, released the following statement Tuesday regarding the Illinois Supreme Court?s ruling upholding bail reform provisions in the SAFE-T Act.

"My colleagues and I in the House Public Safety Working Group put thousands of hours into refining and strengthening the SAFE-T Act to arrive at a final product that will make the justice system smarter and make communities safer," Manley announced. "We also witnessed a tremendous campaign of misinformation surrounding this law, fueled by partisan special interests that simply wanted to scare people for their own political gain.

?Today, after a thorough review, the Illinois Supreme Court has upheld our work, putting smart policy ahead of political misinformation.

?This law empowers courts to make decisions based on a public safety assessment ? not simply the defendant?s access to cash. That?s why domestic violence groups and crime survivor advocates supported this smart approach.

?Today?s ruling is a vindication of the ?smart on crime? approach I have prioritized. Now we need to put political games and partisan spin behind us and continue the work of implementing this important reform.?

Meanwhile, fellow Illinois Democrat, Will County State's Attorney Jim Glasgow, also issued a statement of his own, through his agency's spokeswoman, Carole Cheney, in regard to the Illinois Supreme Court ruling:

"Out of 102 State?s Attorneys throughout Illinois, 100 opposed the Act as written. I was honored to lead the legal challenge brought by 64 of these State?s Attorneys," Glasgow declared. "Our mission was never to stop principled bail reform, but to ensure our criminal justice system continues to protect the safety of the law-abiding citizens of Illinois from ruthless, violent criminals.

"Unfortunately, the citizens of Illinois who are the sovereign authority were not consulted in this significant matter. I will continue to fulfill the oath of office to the best of my ability, and I pray to God that prosecutors and law enforcement will continue to be able to properly address violent crime and maintain the safety of our communities given the serious limitations placed on all our agencies by the Act."

For more coverage:

Illinois Supreme Court Upholds SAFE-T Act, Cashless Bail System