Across Illinois, communities have demanded a more just, equitable criminal justice system—and we’ve made real progress. From eliminating cash bail to expanding alternatives to incarceration, Illinois is charting a path that prioritizes fairness, accountability, and community safety over punishment.

But now, the Trump administration is threatening to interfere—using fear-based rhetoric, lawsuits, and threats of funding cuts to roll back our hard-won reforms.

We, the undersigned, call on federal leaders to:

Respect Illinois’ right to enact local criminal justice policies
Stop attempts to reverse statewide reforms like the SAFE-T Act
End federal pressure campaigns that undermine police accountability and sentencing reform
Invest in communities, not criminalization
Our communities know what justice looks like—and it’s not mass incarceration, over-policing, or federal overreach. It's time to stand up for local leadership and protect our right to build a system that truly works for the people.

Sign now to defend progress. Let Illinois lead.
Initiated by: Speak Out Illinois LLC