A wave of violence against police officers in Illinois has reignited criticism of the state’s controversial SAFE-T Act, with a retired police chief warning that the law has stripped law enforcement of vital tools and emboldened violent offenders.
Former Riverside Police Chief Thomas Weitzel told The Center Square that recent shootings and attacks on officers in Chicago and Granite City are part of a disturbing trend fueled by lenient bail reforms.
“Those types of individuals that would attack a police officer are just emboldened by that,” Weitzel said, referring to the law’s restrictions on pretrial detention.
Among the incidents drawing attention:
- A Granite City police officer was shot responding to a call Friday; the suspect was arrested early Saturday.
- A Chicago officer was shot in the chest Sunday morning; a protective vest saved his life.
- A Cook County Fugitive Task Force member was seriously injured last week after being struck by a vehicle driven by a man later charged with attempted murder.
The suspect in that case, Antwan Ford, 27, was arrested in Vernon Hills after fleeing the scene.
Weitzel also cited broader cultural and political trends that he believes have contributed to rising attacks. “Violence against police officers has been influenced by the way politicians speak about officers and try to take tools away from law enforcement,” he said.
The Fraternal Order of Police reports 83 ambush attacks on officers this year nationwide. Weitzel defined these as “attacks against a police officer for no apparent reason.”
He also warned that the law’s restrictions on holding suspects have created repeat offenders. “They’re not staying in custody. These individuals are being released from first appearance court or sometimes directly from the police station,” he said.
Governor J.B. Pritzker recently signaled he may be open to changes to the SAFE-T Act after a known offender was charged with setting a train passenger on fire — a case that drew condemnation from President Donald Trump.
