Lawmakers call for changes to cashless bail as Illinois faces federal funding loss
(The Center Square) – Statehouse Republicans are calling for reform of the Pretrial Fairness Act as Illinois faces the potential loss of federal money.
President Donald Trump issued an executive order last month to identify federal funds that could be withheld from jurisdictions that eliminated cash bail. The order directs the U.S. Attorney General to submit a list of states and local jurisdictions that “eliminated cash bail as a potential condition of pretrial release from custody for crimes that pose a clear threat to public safety and order.”
The Pretrial Awareness Act took effect two years ago and ended cash bail in Illinois.
State Rep. David Friess, R-Red Bud, said during a virtual press conference Thursday that the law has left county clerks looking for state money.
“The no cash bail has really hurt them financially, and there’s going to have to be some additional funding for that if this is going to keep up,” Friess said.
State Rep. Patrick Windhorst, R-Metropolis, filed House Bill 1482 to expand detainable offenses.
“The legislation says that a court may detain a defendant pending trial if the defendant is charged with any felony offense, and it is alleged that the defendant’s pretrial release poses a threat to the safety of any person or the community,” Windhorst explained.
State Rep. Dennis Tipsword, R-Metamore, is chief deputy of the Woodford County Sheriff’s Office.
Tipsword said law enforcement has been challenged with defendants on pretrial release committing additional crimes.
“The increasing number of failures to appear in court are costing taxpayers thousands of dollars along with taking officers off the street,” Tipsword explained.
Tipsword said a judge was not able to detain defendant charged this year with 21 counts of child pornography in Woodford County.
“He was prohibited from being in contact with anyone under age 18 and not allowed to use the internet. Who and what is going to enforce these ridiculous conditions?” Tipsword asked.
Tipsword said a defendant facing more than 50 sex abuse charges was not detained in DuPage County due to the Pretrial Awareness Act.
“This legislation has left judges powerless, with no choice but to set dangerous criminals free with either lax conditions or unenforceable restrictions,” Tipsword added.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle issued a statement on what she called “attempts to undermine reform” and the two-year anniversary of the Pretrial Fairness Act.
“Two years ago, Illinois was the first state to end the use of money bond as a condition of pretrial release, and we are the only state to have ended money bond completely. With the Pretrial Fairness Act, we replaced a flawed and unjust system with a thoughtfully designed pretrial system that is more fair, safe and effective,” Preckwinkle stated.
State Rep. Tom Weber, R-Fox Lake, said Thursday that he and his GOP colleagues introduced several pieces of legislation to ensure that public safety and crime victims, not criminals, are the priority in Illinois.
Latest News Stories
New Lenox Residents Plead for Help in Escalating Neighborhood Dispute
Commission Approves Mokena-Area Garage Variance Over Village’s Objection
Will County Committee Advances Gougar Road Bridge Project with Over $540,000 in Agreements
JJC Receives Surprise $1.9 Million from IRS Employee Retention Credit
JJC Advances ERP Modernization with New Vendor and Two-Year Budget
Station 62 Remodel Advances as Fire District Seeks to Waive Permit Fees
Will County Committee Shapes 2026 Legislative Agendas on Housing, Energy, and Health
New Lenox School District 122 Considers Community Solar Program Promising $55K in Annual Savings
FAA funding problems hit airports in California, elsewhere
Judge bars ICE from acting against ‘protestors,’ ‘rapid response’ activists
Report: IL public schools show low academic proficiency, higher taxpayer funding
Watchdog: Special interest group paid legislators’ $25,000 resort bill
