Last week, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis sent a letter to Illinois businesses outlining the dangers of a recent law passed by the State of Illinois to remove cash bail requirements.
The letter is below.
Dear Illinois Business Owner,
After spending most of my professional life in the restaurant business, I have a special appreciation of the struggles and sacrifices of maintaining a small business. Sometimes it’s hard enough to make payroll on a good day let alone turn a profit. I can only imagine how difficult it is to keep your doors open as crime runs rampant through the streets while so-called “leaders” in blue states like yours work to fulfill their dreams to “defund the police.” It must be both frustrating and infuriating.
That’s why the recent decision by officials in Illinois to eliminate cash bail in the name of “social justice reform” is pure insanity. The so called “Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equality-Today Act” will introduce new challenges for your business operations, your employees, and your customers. In fact, Illinois prosecutors, Democrat and Republican alike, have reportedly pleaded with the court warning that the “elimination of cash bail will put dangerous criminals back on the street, instead of keeping them in jail or forcing them to post cash bail as they await trial.” As Chief Financial Officer (CFO), my office licenses bail bondsmen throughout the state – and they are critical to ensuring those that are facing charges appear in court. If you get rid of cash bail, good luck on bringing criminals to justice. Indeed, one study has indicated that bounty hunters are often more effective at bringing fugitives to justice as compared to public officials. No doubt, a cash bail system is one of the reasons Florida’s crime rate is at a 50-year low.
While failing states like California, New York, and Illinois are obsessed with pushing a far-Left agenda that makes doing business nearly impossible, Florida is open for business! Our great state is one of the freest and safest places in the country to grow a business, raise a family, and live the American dream. Florida also has a robust bail bonds program that keeps dangerous criminals off the street. The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police has stated that the elimination of cash bail is a slap in the face to local law enforcement while Governor, J.B. Pritzker praises this policy. In Florida, we love our first responders and have a great Governor and other state leaders who work to ensure that our laws are respected, that our citizens are kept safe, and their businesses remain secure.
The elimination of cash bail is further proof that your leaders could care less for the safety of your communities and law enforcement. Illinois does not deserve your business. Instead, consider moving your business and your family to Florida. Please feel free to contact my office at 850-413-3100 or you can email me at CFO.Patronis@myfloridacfo.com. We look forward to the prospect of working together and helping your company thrive here in the Sunshine State!
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