
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.
The investigative reporters on WBEZ’s criminal justice desk tell the stories of the thousands of individuals churning through the legal systems every year in Chicago, Cook County and Illinois and hold to account the powerful officials in charge of those systems. Covering policing, jails and prisons, gun violence and solutions to it, WBEZ’s Criminal Justice team works to bring understanding to some of the most difficult problems facing our region.
Despite glitches in other courthouses, the first week of bail reform in Cook County went relatively smoothly.
The full council could confirm Larry Snelling as soon as next Wednesday.
Fred Waller, Chicago’s temporary top cop, blames “miscommunication” for the error and says the issue has been remedied.
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.”
La Tanya Jenifor-Sublett was released from prison a decade ago. Despite having years to prepare, her transition back was not easy.
The broadcast event airs Sunday Sept. 17 from 2 to 4 p.m. on WBEZ, Vocalo and Illinois Public Radio stations around the state.
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.