CLARK COUNTY, Ill. (WTWO/WAWO) — In a 5-2 decision, the Illinois Supreme Court Justices decided that no cash bail is constitutional.
With the court’s judgment, cash bail ends on September 18, making Illinois the first state to completely abolish the cash bail system.
“Basically, what it means is a lot of felony arrests and misdemeanor arrests, in the past has been to come in and be detained until you went before a judge and a bond was set or a misdemeanor case had to come in a post a bond. Those will now be a cite and release.”
In a statement on the Illinois Supreme Court ruling on SAFE-T Act, Governor, JB Pritzker said,
“I’m pleased that the Illinois Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of the SAFE-T Act and the elimination of cash bail. We can now move forward with historic reform to ensure pre-trial detainment is determined by the danger an individual poses to the community instead of by their ability to pay their way out of jail. My thanks to Attorney General Raoul’s office and the many people who worked tirelessly over the last months to defend these important reforms. I look forward to continuing to work with the General Assembly and our many other partners as we transition to a more equitable and just Illinois.”
Illinois Governor, JB Pritzger (D)
Clark County Sheriff, Bill Brown, said the term ‘public SAFE-T act’ is misleading. He doesn’t see how it makes the public any safer.
“In my opinion and the opinion of many sheriffs and chiefs, it probably makes the public less safe,” Brown said.
While Sheriff Brown said the detainment of people who are committing crimes will be greatly reduced, he says they’ll continue working for the community.
“The law enforcement across the state and Clark County, we’re going to continue to work for the citizens of our communities, we’re going to continue to work for the victims of crimes, because that’s who this is going to affect, people who are victims of crimes,” Brown said. “The criminal is going to be potentially let right back out to possibly go victimize them again. And that can be scary to the citizens.”
