Safe-T Act

The Illinois Supreme Court halted the abolition of the cash bail system in the state on Saturday, just one day before that landmark criminal justice reform was poised to take effect.

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 has vowed to appeal.

New McLean County Sheriff Matt Lane says his biggest priority right now is recruiting and retaining employees. And in one instance, that means literally taking a load off his deputies.

Lawmakers on Thursday passed a long-awaited amendment to the SAFE-T Act criminal justice reform’s provisions that will eliminate cash bail when the calendar hits 2023.

Two days before lawmakers were scheduled to adjourn for the year, one of the lead negotiators of the SAFE-T Act criminal justice reform filed a long-awaited amendment detailing several changes to the landmark cash bail overhaul.

Lawyers on both sides of the criminal justice system say McLean County stakeholders are ready to meet the potential challenges in the courtroom when the first detention hearings are held Jan. 3.

McLean County judges say they want to be consistent in how they hold bond hearings when cash bail ends in January. The county has assigned one judge to handle all bond hearings.

Researchers at Loyola University of Chicago add data to public safety conversation

The legislation, also called the Pretrial Fairness Act, is best known for ending cash bond for people accused of crimes.

State's Attorney Randy Yedinak said he doesn't oppose bail reform, but said the SAFE-T Act is full of contradictions and ambiguities that will make is nearly impossible to enforce.