East Central Reporter

Governor J.B. Pritzker has recently criticized the federal government regarding the possible deployment of the National Guard, stating: “If you hurt my people, nothing will stop me, not time or political circumstance, from making sure you face justice under our constitutional rule of law.”

Some Illinois residents are questioning why this level of determination is not applied to addressing violent crime within the state. Critics argue that policies such as the SAFE-T Act have allowed individuals accused of serious offenses to be released pretrial and, in some cases, reoffend.

Examples cited include a man accused of fatally striking a DeKalb County deputy who was released before trial, a Plainfield man charged with sexual assault who was granted pretrial release, a Bolingbrook man charged with arson who allegedly committed another offense after being freed, and a Rockford man charged with first degree murder who also received pretrial release.

State Representative Chris Miller has voiced concerns about rising crime rates and attributes them to Governor Pritzker’s approach. “If you look at Pritzker’s policies on crime, they obviously favor criminals and illegal immigrants,” said Miller. “The SAFE-T Act has destroyed communities across the state, cost lives, and emboldens criminals, yet Pritzker continues to claim the future is bright in Illinois. The citizens of Illinois need a governor who will protect them, not a trust fund baby that coddles criminals.”

Miller was elected as a Republican representative for Illinois’ 101st House District in 2023 after replacing Reggie Phillips.