Why Illinois wants to end cash bail

This month, the Illinois Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case examining the Safe-T Act. The legislation would bring sweeping reform to the state’s criminal justice system, but one policy in particular has caught the eye and the ire of prosecutors: the elimination of cash bail. Proponents say ending cash bail bonds will get rid of inequities that favor the rich; opponents say it will lead to a rise in crime. What does the fight over cash bail in Illinois tell us about criminal justice in America?

References:

Season 4 of WBEZ’s Motive podcast

Safe-T Act and cash bail goes before Illinois Supreme Court | WBEZ Chicago 

The Chicago Community Bond Fund

I Was Locked Away from My Children for 14 Months Because I Couldn't Make Bail 

The Lifeline and 988 

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Lavette Mayes

Shannon Heffernan (@shannon_h)

Insha Rahman

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Sofi LaLonde, producer

Cristian Ayala, engineer

A.M. Hall, editorial director of talk podcasts

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