CHICAGO – State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. — the lead sponsor of the SAFE-T Act —released the following statement after the president falsely attacked Illinois’ nation-leading measure to end cash bail:

“The president’s misguided attacks on Illinois’ elimination of cash bail are par for the course. When he doesn’t want to answer for his administration’s mounting failures, he reverts to his usual playbook: distraction, denial and diversion.

Illinois is seeing positive results. According to the Illinois State Police, both violent and property crimes have decreased since the end of cash bail. The nonpartisan Brennan Center for Justice also found no statistically significant link between bail reform and crime rates in its analysis of 33 cities, both with and without such reforms.

The SAFE-T Act and the Pretrial Fairness Act made Illinois the first state to fully eliminate the use of money to decide who stays in jail and who walks free before trial. This system is based on risk—not riches. Judges now consider actual threats to public safety and the likelihood of flight, not the size of someone’s bank account.

Let’s be clear: under the new system, no one charged with a serious violent crime—like murder—can simply walk free. That was the case under the cash bail system, where those with money could buy their freedom, regardless of the danger they posed to the public. There are countless examples of violent offenders paying bail and walking free under the old model—something the president conveniently ignores.

What the president wants is a justice system that favors the wealthy. That’s exactly the kind of system that has long failed our communities and allowed the rich to evade consequences. It’s no surprise from someone who also wants to criminalize poverty and homelessness.

In Illinois, we reject that approach. We believe public safety should not be sold to the highest bidder. The SAFE-T Act represents true criminal justice reform—one based on accountability and evidence, not personal wealth.

I urge the president to read the law before spreading dangerous and false narratives.”