Springfield, IL…State Representative Chris Miller (R-Hindsboro) hosted a Public Safety Roundtable event in Mattoon with police chiefs from the 101st district. The goal was to have open conversations about the SAFE-T Act, mental health, and how to create a path forward to improve public safety in communities across Illinois.
“The safety and security of Illinois residents has been compromised by radical Democrats so-called SAFE-T Act,” Rep. Miller stated. “Small-town communities and police departments have growing concerns about public safety, and they want criminals behind bars and not in their backyard.”
According to the police chiefs, crime is not down in Illinois. They say many prosecutors refuse to press charges against criminals and eliminating cash bail increases repeat offenders. One solution they proposed to improve public safety is removing class 3 felony offenses or higher as eligible for pretrial release under the SAFE-T Act.
Furthermore, officers quickly agreed that taking calls for individuals suffering from mental health issues makes their job even harder. They want to see long-term mental health facilities in Illinois so people can receive the help they need. So far, Illinois has no solution to the growing mental health epidemic.
Rep. Miller continued, “After listening to valid concerns from the police chiefs, one thing is clear: Illinois must take action to adopt policies that support law enforcement and create a funding program for mental health facilities. Illinois residents deserve to feel safe in their communities and I will continue to advocate for policy reforms that hold criminals accountable for breaking the law. Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line on a daily basis, and they need adequate resources and tools to ensure Illinois citizens are protected from criminals.”
For more information, please contact Rep. Miller’s office at (217) 508-4108
Representative Chris Miller serves the constituents of Illinois’ 101st House District that includes parts of Coles County, including portions of Champaign, Douglas, and Vermilion Counties along the I-57 corridor.
###