Rock Island Today

In an April 13 Facebook post, Sen. Win Stoller (R-Peoria) wrote about his visit to the Peoria Metro New Car Dealers Association legislative meeting.  

"Honored to join a bicameral panel of state legislators at the Peoria Metro New Car Dealers Association legislative meeting" Stoller said. "Concerns over auto thefts and dealership-related crime emphasize the negative ramifications of the SAFE-T Act – this bad legislation not only impacts law enforcement officers and families but also our retailers and auto dealers on a day-to-day basis. Thank you for the invitation and the opportunity to discuss how Illinois policy and budget decisions impact your industry."

In December, a Kankakee judge ruled that a portion of the SAFE-T Act is unconstitutional. That section of the Act is the portion that ends cash bail. ABC7 reports that "In his 33-page opinion, Judge Thomas Cunnington cited the need for a separation of powers, saying '...the appropriateness of bail rests with the authority of the court and may not be determined by legislative fiat.'"

A talking point of the Republicans who are against the SAFE-T Act is that it will create non-detainable offenses, including aggravated battery, burglary, robbery, and others. A fact check by Central Illinois Proud notes that this is not the case and that if the elimination of cash bail does not prove useful to the state, legislators can file legislation to reinstate it. 

"The SAFE-T Act does not create any 'non-detainable offenses.' Illinois law has no such thing" the fact check said. "Certain crimes, including forcible felonies, stalking, and domestic abuse, will lead a judge to revoke pretrial release; meaning, they will not be released after arrest. This is outlined in the act’s section 110-6.1.a. Some of the crimes listed in the graphic will lead to revocation of pretrial release, such as arson and kidnapping. These are defined as forcible felonies by Illinois law."

In addition to the legislative meeting with automotive professionals, Stoller paid a visit to Regional Office of Education 47 and he shared this in an April 10 Facebook post.

"Appreciate education leaders like Chris Tennyson and Josh Knuth at Regional Office of Education #47 who have their eyes on the big-picture issues as well as the details of running school districts," he wrote. "Chris, Josh and team serve Lee, Ogle and Whiteside Counties by handling regulatory matters, state and local services and information dissemination. Thanks for all you do to provide a quality education to our students!"

Stoller was first elected to the Illinois Senate in 2021. A Republican, his legislative experience includes serving on the Environment and Conservation Committee and the Senate Higher Education Committee. Stoller resides in Germantown Hills.