From State Rep. Tom Weber:

Rep. Weber, House Republicans Call for SAFE-T Act Reform, Justice for Megan Bos

Springfield, IL…. State Representative Tom Weber (R-Fox Lake) was joined by House Minority Floor Leader Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis), State Representative Patrick Sheehan (R-Homer Glen), and Megan Bos’ mother, Jennifer, at a press conference today to call for reforms to Illinois’ criminal justice system, especially in regards to the SAFE-T Act.

Megan Bos’ death and the events that followed have raised serious concerns regarding cashless bail and
limitations placed on law enforcement and judges, illustrating an urgent need for reform.

Megan Bos, a 37-year-old woman from Antioch, Illinois, was reported missing in February, leaving her family desperate for answers.

Her mother, Jennifer Bos, spent weeks searching for her, distributing flyers, and pleading for any information.

Heartbreakingly, Megan’s body was discovered in April, concealed in a trash bin behind a home in Waukegan.

Jose Luis Mendoza-Gonzalez, the suspect in Megan’s case, admitted to police that she died in his residence.

Instead of alerting authorities, he broke her phone, kept her body in his basement for two days, and then
hid it outside for over 50 days.

Despite these disturbing admissions, Mendoza-Gonzalez was released from custody one day after his arrest under the SAFE-T Act, which classifies the charges against him as non-detainable offenses.

“We are still waiting for answers,” said Jennifer Bos during the press conference.

“I don’t know how my daughter died.

“I don’t know what will show up on the toxicology report.

“I don’t know what went on during my daughter’s final moments on this earth.

“But what I do know is that under the umbrella of the Safe-T Act, the man who hid her body in a bleach-filled trash can for seven weeks still got out of jail free.

“We never got to see her, to hold her hand, or give her one last kiss goodbye…

“He robbed us of that.

“He very literally treated her like garbage and may have destroyed the very evidence that could explain her final moments to us.

“If one person had called 911 instead of hiding the truth, Megan might still be here today,” said
Rep. Weber.

“If one person had respected her life instead of disposing of her body, her family wouldn’t be grieving.

“If one person had sought help instead of breaking her phone, justice wouldn’t be slipping away.

“If one person had taken responsibility instead of keeping her in a basement, this tragedy wouldn’t be unfolding.

“If one person had told the truth instead of covering it up, our community wouldn’t be asking how this happened.

“If one person had valued her life instead of treating her like she was disposable, we wouldn’t be demanding change today.”

As all participants noted, the SAFE-T Act has stripped judges of their ability to detain individuals before trial, weakened law enforcement’s ability to detain dangerous individuals before trial, and left communities exposed to unnecessary risk.

The SAFE-T Act’s guidelines have led to many instances where criminals can evade proper legal consequences, leaving the families of victims, like Megan’s, in tremendous pain and suffering.

“The SAFE-T removed critical discretion from judges and allowed dangerous offenders to walk
free,” said Rep. Weber.

“Families are paying the price for this failed legislation, and it’s time for lawmakers to act before more lives are destroyed.

“Megan Bos’ family deserves better.

“Every family in Illinois deserves better.”