Friess Frame

October 8, 2024

Thank you for reading this edition of “Friess Frame.” I’m grateful for the opportunity to share with you the latest updates from our district and across the state.

As always, thank you for making our communities what they are. It’s an honor to serve as your State Representative.

Celebrating the Success of the Du Quoin State Fair

I’m honored to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the organizers, participants, and visitors of the 2024 Du Quoin State Fair, which recently concluded its 11-day run with resounding success. The Fair, which began with a parade on Friday, August 23, showcased the best of Southern Illinois.

“The Du Quoin State Fair exemplifies the spirit of Southern Illinois,” said Rep. Friess. “It’s an event that brings us together, celebrates our heritage, and showcases the best of our region. I’m proud of the incredible turnout and the amazing attractions that made this year’s Fair truly exceptional.”

This year’s Fair included free entertainment, with highlights including Poppin’ Penelope’s balloon exhibit, Nathan’s Spray Monay spray painting demonstration, and the ever-popular petting zoo. The Thank-A-Farmer display continued to receive enthusiastic support, offering attendees a chance to engage with and learn about local agriculture.

The Fair also featured many other attractions. The large art installation by Wander Art Studio, Friday night wrestling with Pro Wrestling Epic, the interactive Bubble Bus, and the Magic Mile Horse Trotting Track were all highlights of the fair.

The Fair also hosted thrilling events such as the USAC Silver Crown series and ARCA races on the weekend of August 31 and September 1. The grandstand shows culminated in a memorable performance by Nelly on the final night. Rodeos, livestock shows, a demolition derby, and a classic car show further showed that the Du Quoin State Fair has something to offer everyone.

The Du Quoin State Fair once again proved to be a cherished tradition, providing Southern Illinois families and friends with lasting memories and a fitting end to summer.

Visiting Local Schools

This week, State Representative David Friess visited schools in his district to distribute State of Illinois coloring books to 4th and 5th grade students. While there, Rep. Friess also taught the students about the role of a State Representative and everything they do. This was followed by a question and answer session where the students were able to get their questions answered directly from Rep. Friess.

The schools visited were Evansville Attendance Center in Sparta, Lincoln Elementary School in Sparta, St. Mary’s Catholic Grade School in Chester, and St. John’s Lutheran Grade School in Chester. More schools in the district will also be visited in the coming months. 

“I had a wonderful time meeting with students this week,” Rep. Friess said. “Thank you to each school that allowed me to visit. It’s always an uplifting and fun time to get to meet the youth of our district. I loved getting to talk to them, answer their questions, and teach them a little bit about what we do. I’m also glad we were able to provide them with coloring books that will educate them on the history of our great state.”

Highway Dedication Ceremony

In an effort to pay tribute to the legacy and sacrifice of Lance Corporal Drew M. Uhles, State Senator Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) and State Representative David Friess (R-Red Bud) hosted a ceremony Saturday, September 14 in Du Quoin to officially name a section of Route 51 as the LCpl. Drew M. Uhles Memorial Highway.

“LCpl. Uhles embodied the courage and patriotism that makes our nation the greatest place on Earth,” said Sen. Bryant. “Naming this portion of Route 51 in his honor will ensure that his legacy endures in the community he called home for generations.”

“This Saturday, we honored LCpl. Drew M. Uhles not just with words, but with a lasting monument that will serve as a constant reminder of his sacrifice,” said Rep. Friess. “This highway dedication is a testament to his bravery and a tribute to the profound impact he had on our community and our country. His legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.”

LCpl. Uhles served with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Twentynine Palms, California. During his service, he earned numerous awards, including the Combat Action Ribbon, the Purple Heart, and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, exemplifying his bravery and commitment to his country. LCpl. Uhles sacrificed his life in Iraq on September 15, 2004, due to injuries sustained from enemy action in the Al Anbar Province.

“It is an honor to be here as this stretch of U.S. 51 is finally dedicated in memory of LCpl. Drew M. Uhles of St. Johns. Nearly twenty years to the day of his passing, LCpl. Uhles’ family can finally take solace in knowing that everyone who drives this stretch of road will know of his sacrifice for our safety,” said Du Quoin Mayor Josh Downs. “I was in school with Drew and played in the band with him and it was no surprise to me that he chose to serve our country after graduation. I hope that he is smiling down knowing that he did his best for our community and our country. My prayers are always with the Uhles family, may God continue to comfort them in the future as they cope with their loss.”

The Illinois Department of Transportation installed signage along the highway, creating a permanent tribute to LCpl. Uhles’ valor and sacrifice after the passage of House Joint Resolution 67 during the spring legislative session. The ceremony on Saturday included remarks from Sen. Bryant, Rep. Friess, and Mayor Downs.

Halloween Costume Contest

I’m proud to host my 4th Annual Children’s Halloween Costume Contest.

Deadline for entries is November 5th. 12 years or under. Best costume winners receives a family 4-pack attraction pass to “The Edge” in Belleville.

Follow the link to enter the contest: https://forms.gle/TrfoN3sGRmZyWijK6

Or stop by our booth at Octo-Boo-Fest on October 18th at 6pm at SWIC’s Red Bud Campus parking lot! More information here: Octo-Boo Fest at Red Bud Campus – Southwestern Illinois College (swic.edu)

Are we any safer one year after cash bail was abolished?


One year after Illinois became the first state in the nation to abolish cash bail, the consequences are clear—public safety is being compromised, and the system is failing the very people it was supposed to protect. The implementation of the Pretrial Fairness Act, which went into effect on September 18, 2023, has sparked significant concern among citizens and law enforcement. The act has left communities vulnerable and undermined the authority of the courts to hold dangerous criminals accountable for their crimes.

The SAFE-T Act, passed in January 2021 and later signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker, was touted as a step toward fairness. The SAFE-T Act’s original version was 700 plus pages of what advocates called reform, but in reality, it placed unfunded mandates on law enforcement and placed criminals above crime victims. One portion of the SAFE-T Act, the Pretrial Fairness Act, abolished cash bail in Illinois. Proponents argued that eliminating cash bail would prevent poor defendants from languishing in jail simply because they couldn’t afford to pay for their release. But this idealistic vision has come at a steep price for law-abiding Illinoisans. By removing cash bail as a tool for judges, the law ties the hands of law enforcement and courts, making it harder to detain potentially dangerous individuals awaiting trial.

Under the new system, judges can only detain defendants for certain felony offenses if they are deemed to pose a direct threat to the community or are likely to flee. But what about those charged with serious but non-violent crimes? Defendants charged with other non-violent felonies are often now released back into the community. This dangerous gap has led to repeat offenders walking the streets while awaiting trial, putting the public at greater risk.

Critics of the Act have consistently warned that this reform prioritizes criminals over victims. By eliminating cash bail, the law ignores the rights of crime victims and disregards the concerns of communities already plagued by high crime rates.

The reality is that crime in Illinois is on the rise. House Republicans have time and time again pointed out that violent crimes like shootings, carjackings, and burglaries continue to increase, yet the Act seems more focused on protecting the rights of offenders than the safety of the community.

Another glaring oversight of the Pretrial Fairness Act is its impact on local court systems. In smaller counties, which lack the resources and infrastructure to handle the increased demands of the new pretrial detention system, the law has created chaos. Judges now face the burden of conducting more complex pretrial hearings placing an unfunded burden on the court system and the community. The act has not only tied the hands of law enforcement but also overburdened local judicial systems that are already operating on thin margins.

The House Republican Truth in Public Safety Working Group met throughout 2023 and 2024 to craft and introduce legislative reforms in response to the abolishment of cash bail provisions in the SAFE-T Act. The following bills were filed in an effort to improve public safety, none were permitted a public hearing by the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives.

HB 5120 (Windhorst – Ugaste – Grant – Cabello) – Expansion of detainable offenses.
Under HB 5120, courts would be able to deny a defendant pretrial release in the following situations:

  1. If the defendant is charged with a felony offense and the defendant’s pretrial release poses a threat to the safety of any individual.
  2. The defendant is charged with a felony offense and has a high likelihood of willful flight to avoid prosecution; or
  3. The defendant has been convicted of two or more of the same felonies or misdemeanors and either 1 or 2 above are true.

HB 5121 (Friess – Grant – Ugaste) – Revocation of Pretrial Release.
A defendant on pretrial release for any offense shall have their pretrial release revoked if the defendant is charged with a new offense that occurred during their pretrial release, regardless of the classification of offense.

HB 5126 (Windhorst – Grant – Ugaste) – Warrant for failures to appear instead of summons.
Reverts back to pre-SAFE-T Act processes where the court would issue a warrant for a defendant’s failure to appear in court.

HB 4052 (Ugaste – Grant – Windhorst)
Reinstates cash bail as recommended by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission report. Creates a hybrid system that has a presumption of release but allows for cash bail or detention.

Are we any Safer?
So, a year after the implementation of the abolishment of cash bail, are we any safer? The headlines tell the story… Illinois SAFE-T Act diminishes public safety:

As you can see from the headlines above, the SAFE-T Act’s abolition of cash bail has proven to be a reckless gamble with public safety. By prioritizing the rights of criminals over the safety of victims, Illinois has set a dangerous precedent that other states should not follow. Cash bail, while not perfect, served as an important tool for ensuring that those awaiting trial were held accountable. Without it, Illinois risks turning its communities into havens for repeat offenders.

If Illinois is to restore trust in its justice system, it must revisit and amend the SAFE-T Act. Reform should be about balancing fairness with safety, not swinging the pendulum so far that the scales tip in favor of criminals. Illinois deserves better—and so do its citizens.