Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau, the Republican nominee in Illinois' 6th Congressional District, said leftist policies are contributing to an increase in crime. | Keith Pekau/Facebook
Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau, the Republican nominee in Illinois' 6th Congressional District, said leftist policies are contributing to an increase in crime. | Keith Pekau/Facebook
Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau, the Republican nominee in Illinois' 6th Congressional District, said leftist policies are contributing to an increase in crime.
Backers of the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity Today, SAFE-T, Act, which includes the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, called the legislation a step toward making the justice system fairer for minorities. Some Republicans labeled it a “de facto defund the police bill" because of the additional regulations it places on police officers. The SAFE-T Act also eliminates cash bail in Illinois starting Jan. 1, 2023, which opponents say would put more criminals on the streets.
"The media is turning a blind eye to a deadly problem in America - in small towns and big cities," Pekau said. "As we speak violent criminals are roaming free, thanks to these far-left policies. In the state of Illinois, it's about to get a lot worse. Do you think law and order is a good idea? If so, it's time to vote out politicians like Sean Casten who think policies like these are good for America."
Pekau cites specific situations where he thinks the SAFE-T Act could create problems.
"Someone could decide to live in your shed, and all law enforcement could do is give them a ticket," he said. "The SAFE-T Act is a massive threat to residents of Orland Park, Cook County and Illinois. The legislature passed it, the governor signed it, and Sean Casten has been silent about the impact this legislation will have on our communities."
Orland Park's Village Board unanimously supported a resolution that called for state lawmakers to deal with issues with the SAFE-T Act, including the limitations on cash bail, the restrictions on police officers' ability to make arrests, the new "unreasonable" certification and decertification standards for police officers, and allowing offenders to violate the terms of their release, Fox News reports.
Pekau won the Republican nomination for the 6th District in June and will face off against incumbent Democratic Rep. Sean Casten in the November general election, according to Ballotpedia.
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