BENTON – State Rep. Dave Severin (R-Benton) currently serves as the House Republican ranking member on the House Judiciary Criminal Law Committee. Severin issued the following statement Wednesday night upon the news that the end of cash bail has been ruled unconstitutional by a Kankakee County judge on Wednesday night.

“I have voted no on every version of the SAFE-T Act. I voted no on the original bill, I voted no on the four make-up bills that were put before the House. I respect our police and have empathy for victims of crime. The SAFE-T Act has a specific provision that ends cash bail for certain offenses. The Illinois Constitution clearly allows for cash bail. Tonight, a judge agreed. There will be more lawsuits, but I believe in the rule of law. Tonight is a win for all Illinoisans that are concerned for their own personal safety as the SAFE-T Act’s dangerous policies were set to take effect on January 1, 2023.”