Like a lot of other counties in the state, Wabash County law enforcement and court officials are trying to come to grips with how things will change with the implementation of the SAFE-T Act which eliminates cash bail and decriminalizes drug possession. Currently, Wabash County’s public defender James Lane works part-time, but state’s attorney Kelli Storckman said the SAFE-T, which is scheduled to go into effect January 1st, will force changes…

Wabash County is part of the 2nd judicial circuit which has acted as a pilot circuit for the SAFE-T Act and sheriff Derek Morgan says the early results on eliminating cash bail have not been promising…

Storckman said the SAFE-T Act is facing fierce opposition from the Illinois Sheriff’s Association and the Illinois State’s Attorney’s Association which she hopes results in changes. She said several counties have filed lawsuits against the SAFE-T Act and that she has one ready to file arguing the law is unconstitutional. Wabash County Commissioners took Storckman’s and Morgan’s information under advisement and took no action yet.