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December 27, 2022

Kane County State's Attorney Jamie Mosser has been working with other officials in the county to prepare for the implementation of the SAFE-T Act.
Photo provided.
Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser has been working with other officials in the county to prepare for the implementation of the SAFE-T Act.

Features • December 27, 2022

Kane County justice partners issue a statement regarding the SAFE-T Act

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KANE COUNTY — On Jan. 1, the SAFE-T Act will go into effect across the state of Illinois. The new law has been the subject of much debate; however, Kane County officials have worked diligently to assist community members to prepare for it.

According to Kane County’s State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser, over the past year, various members of the Kane County Judicial Partners, led by Kane County Chief Judge Clint Hull, have been working together daily to be ready for the new law to take effect.

Other notable members of the group include Mosser, Public Defender Rachele Conant, Circuit Clerk Teresa Barreiro, and Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain.

“I am extremely proud of the cooperation that has taken place. The Kane County Circuit Clerk, Judiciary, Public Defender’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, [and] State’s Attorney’s Office along with other county offices have worked together to understand the law, identify areas of concern, and to develop policies and procedures that will allow for us to best implement the new law,” said Hull in a public statement.

Hain added that he is glad that the SAFE-T Act has been given more clarity as to what its purpose will be once it goes into effect.

“I am pleased with the criminal law clarifications in the latest trailer bill and the view that the new law is prospective, meaning that jail doors will not just ‘swing open’ on January 1. Your Sheriff’s Office is already positioned with body cameras, enhanced training, and policies to meet all of the SAFE-T Act requirements,” he said.

Mosser expressed that as the elected state’s attorney for Kane County, she is dedicated to bringing true criminal justice reform guided by public safety to the area.

“While the SAFE-T Act was intended to bring reform, there were several concerns that prosecutors and law enforcement had with the language. Over the last two years, we worked diligently to amend the act so that we brought safe reform. While I think that there are changes that still need to happen, we have worked together to eliminate the antiquated use of cash bail,” said Mosser.

Mosser extended her gratitude to State’s Attorneys Bob Berlin from DuPage County, Julia Rietz from Champaign County, and Jodi Hoos from Peoria County. She also thanked Illinois Sheriff’s Association President Jim Kaitschuk, Lemont Police Chief Marc Maton, FOP President Andrew Bodewes, and Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly for their work to amend the SAFE-T Act.

“The stakeholders in Kane County have worked tirelessly this past year to ensure that this groundbreaking legislation is implemented as seamlessly as possible,” said Conant. “As the Public Defender, it has been an honor to be a part of this work group and to ensure that all of those who may enter our courthouse have their rights protected. While those in the work group may have had different interpretations of the legislation, we worked together to guarantee that Kane County is ready for January 1, and I am confident that we are.”

The Kane County judiciary group maintains that they are ready to protect the public’s safety, though they understand that there is potential for unanticipated issues and obstacles to arise.

“The circuit clerk’s office has put in place processes to comply with the State of Illinois’ additional reporting requirements as well as updating our forms to be ready by January 1. I am very proud of our team,” stated Barreiro.

Mosser concluded that the Kane County Justice Partners will continue to work together to respond to any obstacles that may come their way and find solutions in the best interest of the entire community.

“As a pilot program in Kane County, we have worked together over the last several months to implement this act in the best way for the citizens of Kane County,” she said. “My continued thanks to our great judicial partners in Kane County for creating a strong framework for the implementation of the Pre-Trial Fairness Act.”