SE Illinois News

House Republican Floor Leader and State Representative Patrick Windhorst is leading a working group called "Truth in Public Safety." Windhorst, who has experience as a prosecutor in Massac County, led a news conference at the Capitol to present the House Republicans' agenda aimed at restoring public safety.

Windhorst expressed concerns about recent legislative actions. "What I have seen legislators from the other side of the aisle has been a constant push to pass legislation that has seriously degraded our police officers’ ability to do their jobs effectively, elevated rights for criminals, and eroded the rights of victims," he stated. He criticized the SAFE-T Act, suggesting it negatively impacts law enforcement and public safety.

In response to what he views as a progressive shift by Democrats on public safety issues, Windhorst announced that the Truth in Public Safety working group is promoting an ambitious legislative agenda. "We have put together a strong, comprehensive package of legislation I hope that our colleagues will see value in, and allow fair hearings and votes to be taken on them before next Friday’s Committee Deadline," he said.

The proposed bills from this working group include:

- HB 1478: Establishes the offense of fentanyl child endangerment.

- HB 1479: Concerns revocation of pretrial release.

- HB 1482: Expands criteria for detention related to pre-trial release.

- HB 1483: Addresses warrants for failure to comply with pretrial release conditions.