SPRINGFIELD – The 2022 Fall Veto Session wrapped up during the week of Nov. 28 – Dec. 2, with legislators taking up legislation that made changes to the controversial SAFE-T Act.
In other news, extensions for driver’s license renewals have officially come to an end.
Controversial SAFE-T Act changes, but public safety concerns remain
In the final week of the annual fall veto session, legislators took up an amendment to House Bill 1095, which made some changes to the controversial SAFE-T Act.
The SAFE-T Act is a major criminal justice rewrite that was passed, despite bipartisan opposition, in a late-night lame-duck session on Jan. 13, 2021. Since its passage, Senate Republicans joined state’s attorneys and law enforcement personnel from across Illinois to sound the alarm on how the law threatens the safety of their communities.
One of the more controversial provisions includes the elimination of cash bail, which is set to take effect statewide beginning Jan. 1, 2023.
Despite the changes approved by the General Assembly last week, which include expanding the types of offenses that are eligible for pre-trial detention, Senate Republicans said the bill still does not go near far enough to fix the many concerns found in the law.
State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Cherry Valley) notes, among other concerns, that judges still won’t have the broad discretion they need to be able to hold certain dangerous people in jail ahead of their trial. Additionally, the changes found in House Bill 1095 still don’t address the millions of dollars this law will cost local governments and police departments.
House Bill 1095 was approved by a strictly partisan vote and is now awaiting the Governor’s action.
License and permit extensions come to end
Residents across the state are now required to renew their driver’s licenses on the actual renewal date following an end to a two-year long extension period resulting from COVID-19.
The first extension came in early 2020 because of the closure of several businesses and state agencies. Several more extensions were granted until Secretary of State Jesse White announced the final deadline extension would come to an end Dec. 1, 2022.
The renewal deadline includes those with driver’s licenses, ID cards and permits, but does not apply to commercial driver’s licenses or CDL learner’s permits.
Although Secretary of State offices have since reopened following the pandemic, the state agency is still encouraging people to complete the renewal process online at https://www.ilsos.gov/. Lobbies at the facilities are currently open but may require an appointment depending on its location.