Sheppard: Current House and Senate Leadership Have Failed Oak Lawn Residents
Sheppard: Current House and Senate Leadership Have Failed Oak Lawn Residents (Oak Lawn, IL) — Candidate for State Representative David Sheppard says that something needs to change after Oak Lawn village officials passed a resolution demanding that the Illinois legislature repeal the SAFE-T Act. The village followed up with a letter to Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, Senator Bill Cunningham (18th Senate District), State Representative Kelly M. Burke (IL-36), State Representative Mary Flowers (IL-31), and State Representative Frances Ann Hurley (IL-35) asking for their support in the matter. Their request was ignored.
“This is the reason I’m running,” said Sheppard. “The people of the State of Illinois need representation.” He continued, “The voice of the people have spoken, they don’t want the SAFE-T Act. The state legislature are supposed to go and reverse what the people don’t want, and this is not happening.”
Sheppard, a US Navy veteran, former Cook County Sheriff’s officer, and current suburban police chief, says that the SAFE-T Act is unconstitutional and will cause an undue burden on our justice system, while keeping potentially dangerous criminals on the streets instead of locked up behind bars.
The SAFE-T Act, an 800-page bill that was passed in the early morning hours of a lame duck session, was ramrodded through without any hearings or debate. Several Illinois State’s Attorneys, including those from Kankakee, Kendall, Vermillion, Will, and McHenry counties, have voiced their discontent with the act, with several filing lawsuits against Gov. J.B. Pritzker and other proponents of the law.
The resolution, which was passed unanimously by the Village of Oak Lawn, reads, in part, “WHEREAS, In a convoluted effort to disarm police officers, this Act contains provisions intended to prohibit law enforcement agencies from acquiring lifesaving armored vehicles and equipment that is often utilized to assist, rescue and protect victims of violent riots, ,ass shootings, and acts of civil unrest and danger, and
“WHEREAS, as of January 1, 2023, suspects charged with criminal acts will be released from custody without posting monetary bail to await their court date entirely free and unfettered…”
The act, according to Sheppard, seriously demeans the criminal justice system and makes it more difficult for the police to protect victims of crime. Sheppard says that this worries the people of the state.
“I will work for the people,” said Sheppard. “I will do your will upon your request.”
Sheppard: Current House and Senate Leadership Have Failed Oak Lawn Residents
Responses