Flanked by lawmakers and supporters, Gov. JB Pritzker picks up the nearly 800-page criminal justice reform bill after signing it into law during a ceremony at Chicago State University on the South Side on Feb. 22, 2021.

Bail reform: the latest on eliminating cash bail in Illinois

A look at the bail reform debate in Illinois, the SAFE-T Act’s passing, and the future of cash bail in the state.

By Katelyn Haas | September 19, 2023 at 3:08 PM

Illinois passed a law that eliminated the use of cash bail that goes into effect next week as part of the SAFE-T Act. Under the law judges could no longer require people to pay money in order to leave jail while they await trial.

Check out our past coverage below and follow along as the state navigates the elimination of cash bail.

21 Total Updates Since
October 07, 2022 05:06 PM

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September 15, 2023 08:59 AM

Bail reform can protect victims of domestic, sexual violence, activists say

By Sophie Sherry

“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, leader of a coalition of victim advocacy groups.
July 21, 2023 05:19 PM

A closer look at why the Illinois Supreme Court upheld law ending cash bail

By Rich Miller

Importantly, the majority opined that cash bail “was all but unknown” when the state’s original constitution was first approved in 1818, and the same basic language from that document remains in force today.
July 18, 2023 07:01 PM

Illinois set to be first state to end cash bail after state Supreme Court ruling

By Matthew Hendrickson and Andy Grimm

Landmark criminal justice reform isn’t unconstitutional, should take effect in September, justices ruled Tuesday.
July 18, 2023 05:51 PM

How bail reform will work in Illinois

By Matthew Hendrickson

The act backed by the Illinois Supreme Court Tuesday lays out new procedures for detaining someone.
July 18, 2023 05:40 PM

Illinois Democrats celebrate court decision ending cash bail: ‘Monumental change is possible’

By Tina Sfondeles and Mitchell Armentrout

On the other side, Senate Republican Leader John Curran said the ruling warrants a special session to address key concerns before cash bail is eliminated in September.
March 14, 2023 02:11 PM

Ending cash bail in Illinois: State supreme court weighs appeal

By Matthew Hendrickson

Justices press lawyers on both sides about SAFE-T Act provision challenged by last-minute lawsuits from dozens of sheriffs and state’s attorneys.
March 13, 2023 12:18 PM

Five things to know as Safe-T Act — and future of cash bail — goes before Illinois Supreme Court

By Shannon Heffernan | WBEZ

On Tuesday, the Illinois Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on the controversial law.
February 27, 2023 02:51 PM

Illinois Supreme Court to hear arguments March 14 on SAFE-T Act as attorney general attacks ‘grab bag’ of arguments against it

By Sun-Times Wire

Kankakee County Chief Judge Thomas Cunnington sided with opponents just days before a bail reform provision was to take effect, ruling in favor of a group of state’s attorneys and sheriffs.
February 17, 2023 03:08 PM

Opponents of SAFE-T Act file arguments with Illinois Supreme Court

By Matthew Hendrickson

They contend the controversial law, which would eliminate cash bail in Illinois, is unconditional and improperly ties judge’s hands when deciding the conditions of release for people accused of crimes.
January 26, 2023 04:14 PM

‘Badly flawed.” Illinois attorney general files brief with state Supreme Court contesting ruling that blocked bail reform

By Matthew Hendrickson

The brief is the attorney general’s office opening argument as it seeks to overturn a judge’s ruling that found parts of the controversial SAFE-T Act unconstitutional.