Developing statewide tools for police accountability
In 2021, Illinois passed the Safety, Accountability, Fairness, and Equity-Today Act (SAFE-T Act), which reformed many aspects of the criminal legal system, including policing practices. While the passage of the SAFE-T Act was a promising step forward, its provisions must be successfully implemented across Illinois for the promised reforms to impact people’s lives.
Citation in Lieu of Arrest
In 2021, Illinois passed a law requiring police officers to issue a citation at the site of arrest for certain low-level crimes instead of bringing a person into custody, a reform commonly known as citation in lieu of arrest (CILOA).
Police Officer Decertification
The SAFE-T Act created a discretionary decertification process that allows any individual to submit a complaint against a police officer that could result in barring them from working in law enforcement.
Body-Worn Cameras
With the passage of the SAFE-T Act, Illinois joined a handful of states in requiring all law enforcement departments to implement body-worn cameras.
Use of Force Standards
The SAFE-T Act established a Statewide Use-of-Force Standardization Act, including a more defined use-of-force policy, with affirmative duties to assist injured people and intervene against excessive force and new requirements for reporting.
