Judge gives no hints on SAFE-T Act, says he faces ‘monumental task’ to rule on sweeping law by Dec. 28

The original sweeping 800-page criminal justice reform bill known as the SAFE-T Act sits on a table awaiting Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s signature during a ceremony at Chicago State University in February of 2021. (Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times-file)

KANKAKEE — A Kankakee County judge offered no hints Tuesday on how he might rule on a legal challenge to Illinois’ controversial criminal justice reform law known as the SAFE-T Act, which is set to abolish cash bail across the state in less than two weeks.

Kankakee County Chief Judge Thomas W. Cunnington simply said, after hearing arguments over the law, that he hopes to hand down an opinion by Dec. 28 — an effort he called a “monumental task.” Cash bail is set to end in Illinois four days later, on Jan. 1.