It’s not the Purge law at all; you’ve been misinformed. Its real name is The SAFE-T Act, and like other frequently spread misinformation, it is nothing like the fictitious purge from the horror movie franchise.

The SAFE-T Act was signed on Feb. 22, 2021 by Illinois governor JB Pritzker, in hopes to abolish cash bail, which will go into effect January 1, 2023.  According to Pritzker, the SAFE-T Act is “a substantial step toward dismantling systemic racism,” per The State-Journal Register. However, recent graphics have surfaced across social media platforms, spreading misinformation. Some fear-mongering news sites have misled Illinois residents and teenagers about the SAFE-T Act, and that is a problem.

WFCN news, who claims to be South Illinois’ #1 online news source, launched a popular graphic that quickly spread misinformation through social media. It cites that the SAFE-T Act will release anyone with a “non-detainable offense” after arrest. The “Non-detainable Offenses” graphic from the unverified WFCN network includes offenses like 2nd-degree murder, drug-induced homicide, kidnapping, and more.

The SAFE-T act does not create any non-detainable offenses. Starting Jan. 1, 2023, Illinois judges will decide if a defendant will get pretrial release based on how much of a threat to the community the judge thinks they are. The law specifically states:  “Detention only shall be imposed when it is determined that the defendant poses a specific, real and present threat to a person, or has a high likelihood of willful flight.”

Both Republican and Democrat politicians push the false narrative of the SAFE-T Act, one being Republican Mayor Keith Pekau of Orland Park, who plans to run for congressional office. Pekau recently spoke about what the SAFE-T Act entails at a town council meeting, saying: “[The SAFE-T Act] denies victims [of] constitutional rights,” and in another moment, “Officers will no longer be able to remove trespassers from residents or businesses.” Pekau also warned the Orland Park community that “all we can do is give them a ticket.”. The statement that “officers will no longer be able to remove trespassers from residents or businesses,” is misleading in the least, as the SAFE-T Act does not prohibit the arrest of offenses, but only affects the pretrial release system based on the constitutional right of innocence until proven guilty. While Pekau’s wording makes it seem like the police will not be able to do their job due to the SAFE-T Act, the law outlines no such thing.

The new law abolishes cash bail in efforts to reduce systemic racism within the justice system, not prevent police officers from arresting criminals. On Oct. 19, 2022 The Paw Print staff reached out to the Mayor Keith Pekau campaign for comment and no reply was made.

Another example of misinformation being cited by Illinois politicians is the Democrat candidate for Illinois state representative, Michelle L Smith, who has issued flyers spreading similar misinformation.

Smith’s flyers state “Benton’s benefactors passed a law releasing violent criminals from jail without having post bail” and in The Observer, a newspaper-like Ad and flier for Smith, it reiterates that Smith is keeping communities safe by “[repealing] the SAFE-T and [keeping] dangerous criminals off the street.”

Other states like Washington, D.C, New Jersey, New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska, Colorado, Kentucky, and Maryland are currently in the process of removing cash bail as well. California has already abolished cash bail.

The SAFE-T Act has good intentions, yet politicians are using it to influence voters for the upcoming election.

Regardless of political status, we greatly caution community members to verify any news source or graphic that circulates their social media accounts.