Illinois became the first state to fully eliminate cash bail. Here’s how it’s working.
Officials in Cook County say implementation has been seamless, but the new policy put a strain on resources elsewhere in Illinois.
Starting Sept. 18, judges will no longer be allowed to require people accused of crimes to put up money to leave jail while they await their trials. This monumental change will reshape courtrooms, jails and policing in the state.
Officials in Cook County say implementation has been seamless, but the new policy put a strain on resources elsewhere in Illinois.
It’s one of the jail’s smallest populations in decades, but it could swell again as defendants deemed too risky to release remain locked up.
“Things aren’t going to be too different for us,” said Cook County Judge Mary Marubio. “It’s just that money will no longer be a condition of release.”
Judges will be limited in who they can hold in jail pretrial. Rural leaders say they don’t have the staffing to handle the change.
It’s been two years since the Pretrial Fairness Act was passed, but questions remain on who will be jailed and who will not.
“Everyone has to be focused on day one, recommending decisions to the judge and making sure that the law is implemented as intended,” said Amanda Pyron, executive director of the Network, a …
The law, effective Monday, makes Illinois the first state to ban money bonds. Some supporters of the change worry that judges will turn to EM.
After a sweeping reform bill, county leaders predict budget shortfalls and an overburdened system. Others say it’s a small price for justice.
Experts say the doomsday scenarios surrounding the controversial criminal justice reform aren’t likely to materialize. But big changes are coming.
Top House Democrat aims to target rising carjackings, organized retail theft with one message: ‘If you do the crime, you should do the time.’
The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled to uphold legislation to end the state’s cash bail system.
The landmark decision clears the way for unprecedented criminal justice reform. Here’s how politicians, prosecutors and advocates responded.
The provision is part of the SAFE-T Act, which state Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law in 2021.
Reform will move ahead as planned in Chicago and its immediate suburbs.
A Kankakee County judge sided with prosecutors and sheriffs from across Illinois in ruling the cash bail section of the legislation violates the Illinois Constitution. Attorney General Kwame Raoul …
Officials in Cook County say implementation has been seamless, but the new policy put a strain on resources elsewhere in Illinois.
Despite glitches in other courthouses, the first week of bail reform in Cook County went relatively smoothly.
Despite a frenzied morning of last-minute preparations, the hearings at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse were not substantially different from the old cash bail system.
Illinois is the first state in the U.S. to abolish cash bail. The historic change took effect on Monday, prompting confusion and long days.
It’s been two years since the Pretrial Fairness Act was passed, but questions remain on who will be jailed and who will not.
“Things aren’t going to be too different for us,” said Cook County Judge Mary Marubio. “It’s just that money will no longer be a condition of release.”
Judges will be limited in who they can hold in jail pretrial. Rural leaders say they don’t have the staffing to handle the change.