'Safe-T Act Is Nothing More Than Reckless Legislation': Jim Reilly

JOLIET, IL — Three days after Democrat Will County State's Attorney Jim Glasgow filed a Will County lawsuit hoping to stop the Illinois Safe-T Act from being implemented come January, Will County's Republican Sheriff candidate Jim Reilly issued a press release on the topic.

“The Safe-T Act is nothing more than reckless legislation that will empower criminals and undermine the efforts of law enforcement who put themselves at risk to keep our communities safe,” Reilly declared. “It is refreshing to see State’s Attorney Jim Glasgow put partisan politics aside and do what’s best for the people of Will County and the State of Illinois.”

According to Reilly, Glasgow as well as State’s Attorneys Jason Helland of Grundy County and Jim Rowe of Kankakee County filed lawsuits against Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul. The State’s Attorneys argue that the Safe-T Act violates the single-subject law, separation of powers, the three-readings requirement, and other sections of the Illinois Constitution, Reilly noted.

Reilly is a former Joliet police officer who now works as a road patrol deputy at the Will County Sheriff's Office. He ran for sheriff against Democrat incumbent Mike Kelley in 2018, but lost badly.

However, in the June 28 Illinois primary, Reilly got 4,400 more votes than Kelley in their respective primaries. The two men go head-to-head in the Nov. 8 general election.

“Unfortunately, our current Sheriff Michael Kelley has adopted liberal policies and refuses to speak out against the Safe-T Act, which continues to jeopardize the safety of the men and women who work for him,” Reilly declared Monday. “Will County deserves a full-time Sheriff that will stand up for our dedicated law enforcement officers. I will continue to work closely with our state’s attorney, county sheriffs, and local police chiefs to speak out against the harmful Safe-T Act.”

Patch has reached out to the Sheriff's Office seeking reaction and an interview with Kelley regarding Glasgow's lawsuit and Monday's news release from Reilly.

In closing, Reilly indicated that he is being endorsed by the Will County Sheriff’s Deputies Labor Union and he's supported by the Joliet Police Department Labor Union.

"Reilly has served as a law enforcement officer for over two decades and is one of Will County’s most decorated officers," Monday's news release noted.

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

Patch Readers Praise Jim Glasgow For Safe-T-Act Lawsuit

Safe-T-Act Lawsuit: Glasgow Wants To Stop Controversial Measure