Tomorrow, oral arguments will be heard in a lawsuit filed by multiple state’s attorneys challenging the constitutionality of the SAFE-T Act, the criminal justice omnibus bill that includes the Pretrial Fairness Act.  Ahead of that hearing, faith leaders and community organizations with the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice from Sangamon, Winnebago, and Will counties released letters to their respective State’s Attorneys urging them to accept the Pretrial Fairness provisions of the SAFE-T Act and drop their lawsuits challenging the law. 

While some counties are partaking in frivolous lawsuits to undermine the Pretrial Fairness Act, others are working overtime to make sure that Illinois is ready to undertake this crucial transformation of our criminal legal system. For the last two years, stakeholders from across Illinois have worked together to prepare for the implementation of the law. During the November Veto session, advocates and legislators worked alongside law enforcement and prosecutors to amend the law to ensure its successful implementation.

People across our state have made our voices heard and worked with legislators to end one of the greatest racial and economic injustices in our criminal legal system. It’s time to end the fear-mongering and do what’s right for our communities by focusing on the successful implementation of this historic civil rights legislation.