McLean County Times

In a Facebook post this week, Illinois state Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) alerted her constituents to a pair of lawsuits alleging that the SAFE-T Act is not legal.

"In case you missed it, the State’s attorneys from Will and Kankakee counties filed separate lawsuits challenging the legality of the SAFE-T Act on Friday," Rezin said in the post.

State Attorney Jim Rowe issued a statement on the lawsuit.

"The lawsuit is filed on behalf of the People of the State of Illinois by Jim Rowe in his capacity as State’s Attorney, and on behalf of Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey; it names Governor JB Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul as Defendants," Rowe's statement on Facebook said. "The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief based upon the Act violating the Illinois Constitution; violating the single-subject law; violating separation of powers; being unconstitutionally vague; and violating the three-readings requirement."

In February, Rezin supported legislation intended to undo certain provisions of the SAFE-T Act, a report from her office said. The legislative package includes a “Fund the Police Grant Act,” which would provide targeted grants to assist law enforcement, provide additional training and purchase much-needed equipment—including body cameras. The senators called for more support for the individuals tasked with protecting communities across the state, noting that police officers and sheriffs were exiting the law-enforcement profession in unprecedented numbers. In many cases, those leaving the profession indicated that it was due in large part to provisions of the SAFE-T Act.

The legislative package also has provisions to keep violent offenders off of the street, help stop the flow of illegal guns to criminals, take significant action against carjacking, provide mental health treatment for detainees, and repeal other provisions of the SAFE-T Act.

Also in February, Rezin spoke against the passage of the Act on Facebook. The governor signed the SAFE-T Act (HB3653) into law later.