Rockford Sun

State Rep. Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford) recently spoke out about the “no cash bail” aspect of Illinois’ new SAFE-T Act, which he called a “major concern.”

“Here is additional information on the no cash bail change in Illinois and why it is a major concern,” Sosnowski said in a Facebook post. “There are significant reasons why state's attorneys and law enforcement agencies have serious concerns.”

The post included a graphic titled “The truth about no cash bail in IL.” It said, “Because state law deems certain crimes probationable, under the SAFE-T Act those accused of these crimes cannot be detained pretrial: Robbery, Burglary (non-residential), Arson (non-residential), Vehicular invasion, DUI causing bodily harm or death, Involuntary Manslaughter or Reckless Homicide, 2nd Degree Murder, Concealment of a Homicidal Death, Kidnapping”

In a fact check of the no-cash ball claim, a recent Verify This report said: “The law does not mean all detainees are automatically released. Authorities can still detain people who are dangers to public safety, flight risks or repeat offenders.”

WGN-TV shared a report that explained the SAFE-T Act and the provisions involved, including the no-cash bail aspect that has Republicans concerned. The report noted that prosecutors from Southern Illinois to the Chicago suburbs and the Wisconsin and Indiana state lines are troubled by part of the law that states someone could only be held in jail while waiting trial if they are likely to flee. This includes aggravated battery, robbery, burglary, aggravated DUI, kidnapping, vehicular homicide and drug offenses. The graphic that Sosnowski posted listed those charges.

Sosnowski has served Illinois' 69th District since 2011. He is the Republican spokesperson for the Child Care Access & Early Childhood and the State Government Administration committees. He also serves on the Revenue & Finance and Cities & Villages committees; as well as the Income Tax Subcommittee, Procurement Subcommittee and Operations Subcommittee.

On Nov. 8, Sosnowski takes on Democratic nominee Peter Janko in the general election.