About Chris Welch’s efforts.
Emanuel Chris Welch, a super lawyer, State representative of the 7th District, and was the president of the Proviso Township High School District 209 board of education. He became the first Black lawmaker to become the Speaker of the Illinois House since January 2021. Chris’ advocacy made history, as violence was high and didn’t seem to be slowing down unless someone stepped up. So Chris Welch became dedicated to having the SAFE-T Act passed.
Because of his dedication, the state of Illinois was the first in America to end cash bail. Eventually, Governor JB Pritzker passed and signed the SAFE-T on January 22, 2021, and many things changed in the police force and criminal justice reforms.
The act was rushed, said Attorney General Tom Devore. “I feel like it’s impossible for the 750-page bill to be passed by both houses in a matter of three days.” But the SAFE-T act isn’t the only thing Welch has done as he showed his support for Public Act 102-1116.
Following that, Chris Welch said on Friday, August 11, after the IL Supreme Court supported a law that banned the sale of ARs, high-capacity magazines, and all rapid-fire modifications.
It shows the Supreme Court’s ruling, which reinforces their responsibility to value the lives of the future of our people over guns, and that the safety of all cities and communities won’t be doubted or proposed against the gun lobby.
Continuing, Chris Welch said, “Because gun violence is one of the biggest problems in America, this law will be a start to stop this major problem.”
After that, Chris thanked representatives Bob Morgan and Maura Hirschauer, along with the Firearm Safety Working Group who helped pass this law. Additionally, he stated this was the nation’s most vital gun safety law.
What did the SAFE-T Act accomplish?
The SAFE-T Act changed things in three groups: the criminal justice system, pretrial, and corrections.
Some of the policing changes go as follows
The need to provide medical aid, if the person is rendered as injured by the officers, they must request emergency medical assistance if it’s needed unless officers can handle the situation with their own medical training.
Officers are now required to intervene when police brutality occurs. When officers intervene, they should not have any regard for the chain of command and act upon the unauthorized or excessive force.
The expansion of training will cover crisis intervention, de-escalation, high-risk traffic stops, use of force, and racial and ethnic sensitivity. Officials have increased the eligibility of inmates incarcerated for drug offenses to participate in probation and diversion programs.
Improved sentencing credits for imprisoned people is another change the act did. One way credit is earned is through good conduct, which is compliance with regulations and rules of the department. The max is 180 days of sentence credit, which is given to those who are serving under five years, and prisoners serving five or more years can earn a max of 365 days of credit.
Some Pretrial highlights
It has abolished cash bail, meaning criminals can’t pay to be released or judges set a cash bail amount. Now incarcerated people can only lower their sentence by good conduct or earning sentence credit.
These are some adjustments that took place. But for more details about the SAFE-T ACT, please visit the official document. These changes show why Chris Welch helped pass this act and others. All of which has improved the lives of his people as a whole.
By Samuel Cruz
Sources:
Illinois House Democratic Caucus: Speaker Welch: Assault Weapons Ruling Shows Safety Isn’t Subject to the Veto of the Gun Lobby
ABC7: IL House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch doubles down on support for SAFE-T Act to end cash bail
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Stephen Hogan Flickr Page–Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of WEBN-TV Flickr Page–Creative Commons License
