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.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM
The End of Cash Bail 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.
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With cash bail eliminated in Illinois, the Cook County Jail population shrinks
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.
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Courts will be ready when Illinois ends cash bail Monday, Chicago-area officials say
“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.”
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Downstate leaders say they will need help handling the historic end to cash bail
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.
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Illinois becomes first state in nation today to eliminate cash bail. Here’s how it will work.
It’s been two years since the Pretrial Fairness Act was passed, but questions remain on who will be jailed and who will not.
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How advocates plan to use bail reform to better protect victims of domestic, sexual violence
“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 …
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Cash bail’s end next week could spark an electronic monitoring surge, backers fear
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.
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‘Where Do We Go From Here?’: Illinois Counties Prep For Massive Changes To Courts And Jails
After a sweeping reform bill, county leaders predict budget shortfalls and an overburdened system. Others say it’s a small price for justice.
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What to expect now that cash bail in Illinois is ending
Experts say the doomsday scenarios surrounding the controversial criminal justice reform aren’t likely to materialize. But big changes are coming.
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Illinois House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch vows to pass anti-crime package
Top House Democrat aims to target rising carjackings, organized retail theft with one message: ‘If you do the crime, you should do the time.’
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Cook County public defender reflects on the end of cash bail in Illinois
The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled to uphold legislation to end the state’s cash bail system.
Illinois could be a national model for eliminating cash bail, but implementation is another test
The landmark decision clears the way for unprecedented criminal justice reform. Here’s how politicians, prosecutors and advocates responded.
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Illinois Supreme Court to decide on ending cash bail
The provision is part of the SAFE-T Act, which state Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law in 2021.
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Cook County is poised to end cash bail Sunday despite a downstate judge’s ruling
Reform will move ahead as planned in Chicago and its immediate suburbs.
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A judge ruled the portion of the SAFE-T Act ending cash bail is unconstitutional
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 …
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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.
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Cook County judges talk about their first week without cash bail. ‘The world is looking at us.’
Despite glitches in other courthouses, the first week of bail reform in Cook County went relatively smoothly.
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Bail reform gets its first test Monday, and Cook County sees a smooth rollout
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.
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Courts in counties across Illinois take first steps into a world without cash bail
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.
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Illinois becomes first state in nation today to eliminate cash bail. Here’s how it will work.
It’s been two years since the Pretrial Fairness Act was passed, but questions remain on who will be jailed and who will not.
![]()
Courts will be ready when Illinois ends cash bail Monday, Chicago-area officials say
“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.”
![]()
Downstate leaders say they will need help handling the historic end to cash bail
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.
