Orland Park Mayor, Village Trustees Decry SAFE-T Act

ORLAND PARK, IL — Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau last week spoke out against impending legislation entitled Safety Accountability and Fairness Equity Today, otherwise known as SAFE-T Act.

Pekau and the Orland Park Village Board denounced the legislation at the Sept. 6 board meeting, noting several provisions that he sees as problematic. His speech was followed by a press release from the Village and an appearance on Fox News.

Some residents are calling the village's opposition a Pekau campaign stunt. The legislation has been the focus of heated debate heading into the November election, in which Pekau is a candidate for the Illinois 6th Congressional District.

"We must not allow this law to stand as passed,” said Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau. “I can’t even begin to tell you how dangerous this act is.”

In the Board's discussion of the legislation and in a later press release, they noted the following, per their phrasing:

• Abolition of cash bail, noting "for almost every offense, including but not limited to kidnapping, armed robbery, second degree murder, drug induced homicide, aggravated DUI, threatening a public official and aggravated fleeing and eluding."
• Offenders released on electronic monitoring have to be in violation for 48 hours before law enforcement can act."
• Denies victims their constitutional rights.
• Officers will no longer be able to remove trespassers from your residence or place of business.

“Someone could decide to live in your shed, and all we could do is give them a ticket,” said Pekau. “This is a massive threat to residents of Orland Park, Cook County and Illinois.”

Pekau went on to speak against other portions of the bill, incorporating feedback about the City of Chicago and its mayor.

“It’s like they won’t stop until they destroy our communities and our society,” said Pekau. “We all need to take a stand against this, this is a very dangerous bill.”

Orland Park Police on Wednesday declined to comment on Pekau's statements, noting that they, like many police departments, are still in the process of interpreting all elements of the legislation. A detailed explainer of the legislation as it stands can be found online.

Commenters on Village's social media criticized the Mayor's comments and subsequent appearance on TV news, saying they are part of his campaign tactics.

"I’m not defending the act. I’m just saying the village is campaigning," wrote one follower.

"Why is the village promoting what is clearly a campaign action by Keith? Completely inappropriate."

Another commenter said the content did not belong on the Village's social media.

"This is clearly for Pekau's political gain," the commenter wrote. "It has no place being on the village FB page."