Illinois Supreme Court Eliminates Cash Bail, Setting Precedent
The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled that cash bail can be eliminated, making it the first state to do so. The decision comes as part of the implementation of the SAFE-T Act, which is set to go into effect in January. While some state's attorneys argue that a constitutional amendment is necessary, lawmakers maintain that the state constitution does not specify that bail must be in the form of cash. Under the new system, individuals will be detained based on the offense they are accused of and their prior record, rather than posting bail.