Illinois Supreme Court upholds law eliminating pretrial cash bail
By Karah Rucker (Anchor/Reporter), Ben Burke (Digital Producer)
Media Landscape
This story is a Media Miss by the right as only 17% of the coverage is from right leaning media. Learn more about this dataBias Distribution
Left
Big news for cash bail critics: Illinois just became first state to abolish it
Click to see story on USA TodayIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on Associated Press NewsIllinois Supreme Court upholds law eliminating cash bail
Click to see story on CNNIllinois Supreme Court upholds end to cash bail; new system begins Sept. 18
Click to see story on CBS NewsIllinois Supreme Court upholds law ending cash bail
Click to see story on NY Daily NewsIllinois Supreme Court rules in favor of ending the state’s cash bail system
Click to see story on nprIllinois’ plan to eliminate cash bail statewide just cleared a major hurdle
Click to see story on NBC NewsIllinois Democrats celebrate court decision ending cash bail: ‘Monumental change is possible’
Click to see story on Chicago Sun TimesIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on Town And Country TodayIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on Koco News5Illinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on Burnaby NowIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on PiqueIllinois is 1st state to eliminate cash bail ‘penalty on poverty’ amid debates over criminal justice
Click to see story on SooToday.comIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on Barrie TodayIllinois Supreme Court upholds elimination of cash bail set to take effect in September
Click to see story on St Louis Post-DispatchCash bail will be eliminated in Illinois after justices rule SAFE-T Act provisions constitutional
Click to see story on Commercial NewsIllinois Supreme Court upholds law ending cash bail
Click to see story on jurist.orgHigh court upholds cash-free bail in Illinois, which takes effect in September
Click to see story on KRDOIllinois Supreme Court upholds law eliminating cash bail
Click to see story on KIFIIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on KCRA 3Illinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WPLGIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WCVBIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WLWTCashless Bail Upheld By Illinois Supreme Court
Click to see story on PatchHigh court upholds cash-free bail in Illinois, takes effect in September
Click to see story on San Diego Union TribuneIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WMURHigh court upholds cash-free bail in Illinois, which takes effect in September
Click to see story on Washington Top NewsIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WLKYIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WESHIllinois to become first state in US to eliminate cash bail. Here’s what that means and when it will begin
Click to see story on NBC ChicagoIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WDSUIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
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Click to see story on KCCIIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on KMBCIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WBAL-TVIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WISNIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WPTZIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WMTWIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WVTMIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WAPTIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on KOATKim Foxx: ‘We’re on the right side of history’ with Illinois becoming first state to eliminate cash bail
Click to see story on WGN 9High court upholds cash-free bail in Illinois, takes effect in September
Click to see story on KOB 4Illinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WCBDIllinois law eliminating cash bail upheld by state’s high court
Click to see story on WTVBIllinois set to become first state to eliminate cash bail
Click to see story on Daily HeraldIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WPBFIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WGALAbolishing Cash Bail Constitutional, Top Illinois Court Says (1)
Click to see story on Bloomberg LawIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WXIIIllinois Supreme Court upholds no-cash bail law to take effect in 60 days
Click to see story on The Center SquareReaction to the Illinois Supreme Court decision on the SAFE-T Act case
Click to see story on CENTRALILLINOISPROUDIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on KSBWIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on KHBSHaine, Connor Statement on Illinois Supreme Court Ruling on SAFE-T Act
Click to see story on RiverBender.comHigh court upholds cash-free bail in Illinois, takes effect in September
Click to see story on Shaw LocalWhat public officials are saying about Illinois Supreme Court ruling on SAFE-T Act
Click to see story on bnd.comIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting lo
Click to see story on Washington TimesIllinois Supreme Court upholds state law to end cash bail
Click to see story on New York PostHigh court upholds cash-free bail in Illinois, takes effect in September
Click to see story on National PostHigh court upholds cash-free bail in Illinois, which takes effect in September
Click to see story on MY NorthwestIllinois Supreme Court Allows Elimination of Cash Bail
Click to see story on Wall Street JournalCash bail to be eliminated after Illinois Supreme Court upholds SAFE-T Act
Click to see story on The News-GazetteIllinois Supreme Court upholds liberal criminal justice reform goal of eliminating cash bail
Click to see story on Washington ExaminerIllinois Supreme Court Rules Cash Bail Ban Is Legal
Click to see story on The Daily CallerIllinois Supreme Court Rules Elimination Of Cash Bail Constitutional
Click to see story on OANIllinois Supreme Court Upholds ‘SAFE-T Act,’ Eliminates Cash Bail
Click to see story on RedStateCourt clears way for Illinois to become first state to eradicate cash bail
Click to see story on Fox NewsIllinois Supreme Court Ends Cash Bail in Middle of Crime Wave
Click to see story on BreitbartRight
Untracked Bias
Illinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on Richmond NewsIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on AlbertaPrimeTimes.comHigh court upholds cash-free bail in Illinois, which takes effect in September
Click to see story on St. Albert GazetteIllinois is 1st state to eliminate cash bail ‘penalty on poverty’ amid debates over criminal justice
Click to see story on SudburyIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on Bay TodayHigh court upholds cash-free bail in Illinois, takes effect in September
Click to see story on Orillia MattersHigh court upholds cash-free bail in Illinois, takes effect in September
Click to see story on Newmarket TodayHigh court upholds cash-free bail in Illinois, takes effect in September
Click to see story on Collingwood TodayIllinois is 1st state to eliminate cash bail ‘penalty on poverty’ amid debates over criminal justice
Click to see story on Elora Fergus TodayIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on Thorold TodayHigh court upholds cash-free bail in Illinois, which takes effect in September
Click to see story on Airdrie City ViewCash Bail Will Be Eliminated in Illinois
Click to see story on WWBLHigh court upholds cash-free bail in Illinois, which takes effect in September
Click to see story on meadowlakeNOWIllinois justices uphold end to cash bail
Click to see story on The Edwardsville IntelligencerIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WJCLIllinois Supreme Court upholds SAFE-T act, clearing path to end cash bail
Click to see story on The Daily IlliniIllinois Supreme Court rules SAFE-T Act is constitutional
Click to see story on Whig UKIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on Bradford TodayIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most – The Morning Sun
Click to see story on communityq.comIllinois is 1st state to eliminate cash bail ‘penalty on poverty’ amid debates over criminal justice
Click to see story on Timmins TodayIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on Maryland Daily RecordEliminating bail upheld by Illinois court
Click to see story on Beloit Daily NewsIllinois law eliminating cash bail upheld by state’s high court
Click to see story on nordot.appIllinois justices uphold end to cash bail
Click to see story on The Telegraph [thetelegraph.com]Illinois Supreme Court upholds law eliminating cash bail
Click to see story on wglt.orgBREAKING: Cash bail will be eliminated in Illinois after justices rule SAFE-T Act provisions constitutional
Click to see story on The Troy Times TribuneIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on mor-tv.comIllinois officially became the first state to eliminate cash bail as a condition of pretrial release from jail. The Illinois Supreme Court upheld a law abolishing cash bail on Tuesday, July 18.
The law was originally set to take effect Jan. 1, 2023. It was part of the SAFE-T Act, passed in 2021, which aimed to overhaul the state’s criminal justice system following the police killings of George Floyd and other members of marginalized groups.
“I’m pleased that the General Assembly has passed clarifications that uphold the principle we fought to protect: to bring an end to a system where wealthy violent offenders can buy their way out of jail, while less fortunate nonviolent offenders wait in jail for trial,” Gov. JB Pritzker, D-Ill., said in a statement announcing his signing of the bill in December of 2022. “Advocates and lawmakers came together and put in hours of work to strengthen and clarify this law, uphold our commitment to equity, and keep people safe.”
Opponents to eliminating cash bail in Illinois argued bail is a time-honored way to ensure defendants released from jail show up for court proceedings. They also warned that violent criminals will be released pending trial, giving them license to commit other crimes.
The lawsuit challenging the law was brought by county state’s attorneys and sheriffs. A Kankakee County judge found that since the Illinois constitution mentions “bail,” it would take a constitutional amendment approved by voters in order to eliminate cash bail. Tuesday’s Supreme Court ruling reversed the lower court ruling.
“First, the trial court ignored the plain language of the constitution. The bail clause does not include the term ‘monetary,’ so it did not cement the practice of monetary bail, however long-standing and prevalent across Illinois, into our constitution,” the state Supreme Court wrote in its opinion. “Second, the trial court correctly recognized that the bail clause strikes a finely constructed balance between the interests of criminal defendants in pretrial release and the interest of the state ‘obtaining the greatest possible assurance’ that the defendant will appear for trial… as well as the state’s interest in public safety, but the court incorrectly assumed that abolishing monetary bail undermines the state’s interest. The court appeared to believe that monetary bail is the only way to assure a defendant’s presence and to protect the public. In doing so, the court elevated the system of monetary bail over the plain language of the bail clause.”
While other states and cities have made changes to their cash bail systems, Illinois is the first state to outright abolish it. In 2014, New Jersey replaced its cash bail system with a risk assessment process that gauged the potential danger to the community a defendant posed if released. New York and Alaska have also taken steps to curtail cash bail.
ILLINOIS WILL BECOME THE FIRST STATE IN THE NATION TO **END CASH BAIL** —
AFTER THE STATE SUPREME COURT UPHELD A LAW THAT WAS PASSED BY STATE LAWMAKERS BACK IN 20-21.
THE ELIMINATION OF CASH BAIL WAS PART OF A CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM BILL FROM TWO YEARS AGO THAT WAS IMMEDIATELY MET WITH LEGAL CHALLENGES.
PROSECUTORS AND SHERIFFS IN **64 COUNTIES FILED LAWSUITS CLAIMING IT WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL TO END CASH BAIL.
BUT IN A 5-2 DECISION THE STATE SUPREME COURT DISAGREED.
UNDER THE NEW LAW — CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS WON’T HAVE TO PAY A SPECIFIC AMOUNT OF MONEY IN ORDER TO BE RELEASED FROM JAIL AS THEY AWAIT TRIAL.
THEY WILL ONLY HAVE TO REMAIN IN CUSTODY IF A JUDGE THINKS THEY ARE A DANGER TO THE PUBLIC OR FLIGHT RISK.
THE NEW LAW WILL TAKE EFFECT ON SEPTEMBER 18TH.
Media Landscape
This story is a Media Miss by the right as only 17% of the coverage is from right leaning media. Learn more about this dataBias Distribution
Left
Big news for cash bail critics: Illinois just became first state to abolish it
Click to see story on USA TodayIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on Associated Press NewsIllinois Supreme Court upholds law eliminating cash bail
Click to see story on CNNIllinois Supreme Court upholds end to cash bail; new system begins Sept. 18
Click to see story on CBS NewsIllinois Supreme Court upholds law ending cash bail
Click to see story on NY Daily NewsIllinois Supreme Court rules in favor of ending the state’s cash bail system
Click to see story on nprIllinois’ plan to eliminate cash bail statewide just cleared a major hurdle
Click to see story on NBC NewsIllinois Democrats celebrate court decision ending cash bail: ‘Monumental change is possible’
Click to see story on Chicago Sun TimesIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on Town And Country TodayIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on Koco News5Illinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on Burnaby NowIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on PiqueIllinois is 1st state to eliminate cash bail ‘penalty on poverty’ amid debates over criminal justice
Click to see story on SooToday.comIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on Barrie TodayIllinois Supreme Court upholds elimination of cash bail set to take effect in September
Click to see story on St Louis Post-DispatchCash bail will be eliminated in Illinois after justices rule SAFE-T Act provisions constitutional
Click to see story on Commercial NewsIllinois Supreme Court upholds law ending cash bail
Click to see story on jurist.orgHigh court upholds cash-free bail in Illinois, which takes effect in September
Click to see story on KRDOIllinois Supreme Court upholds law eliminating cash bail
Click to see story on KIFIIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on KCRA 3Illinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WPLGIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WCVBIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WLWTCashless Bail Upheld By Illinois Supreme Court
Click to see story on PatchHigh court upholds cash-free bail in Illinois, takes effect in September
Click to see story on San Diego Union TribuneIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WMURHigh court upholds cash-free bail in Illinois, which takes effect in September
Click to see story on Washington Top NewsIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WLKYIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WESHIllinois to become first state in US to eliminate cash bail. Here’s what that means and when it will begin
Click to see story on NBC ChicagoIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WDSUIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WTAEIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on KETVIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WYFFIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on KCCIIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on KMBCIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WBAL-TVIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WISNIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WPTZIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WMTWIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WVTMIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WAPTIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on KOATKim Foxx: ‘We’re on the right side of history’ with Illinois becoming first state to eliminate cash bail
Click to see story on WGN 9High court upholds cash-free bail in Illinois, takes effect in September
Click to see story on KOB 4Illinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WCBDIllinois law eliminating cash bail upheld by state’s high court
Click to see story on WTVBIllinois set to become first state to eliminate cash bail
Click to see story on Daily HeraldIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WPBFIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WGALAbolishing Cash Bail Constitutional, Top Illinois Court Says (1)
Click to see story on Bloomberg LawIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WXIIIllinois Supreme Court upholds no-cash bail law to take effect in 60 days
Click to see story on The Center SquareReaction to the Illinois Supreme Court decision on the SAFE-T Act case
Click to see story on CENTRALILLINOISPROUDIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on KSBWIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on KHBSHaine, Connor Statement on Illinois Supreme Court Ruling on SAFE-T Act
Click to see story on RiverBender.comHigh court upholds cash-free bail in Illinois, takes effect in September
Click to see story on Shaw LocalWhat public officials are saying about Illinois Supreme Court ruling on SAFE-T Act
Click to see story on bnd.comIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting lo
Click to see story on Washington TimesIllinois Supreme Court upholds state law to end cash bail
Click to see story on New York PostHigh court upholds cash-free bail in Illinois, takes effect in September
Click to see story on National PostHigh court upholds cash-free bail in Illinois, which takes effect in September
Click to see story on MY NorthwestIllinois Supreme Court Allows Elimination of Cash Bail
Click to see story on Wall Street JournalCash bail to be eliminated after Illinois Supreme Court upholds SAFE-T Act
Click to see story on The News-GazetteIllinois Supreme Court upholds liberal criminal justice reform goal of eliminating cash bail
Click to see story on Washington ExaminerIllinois Supreme Court Rules Cash Bail Ban Is Legal
Click to see story on The Daily CallerIllinois Supreme Court Rules Elimination Of Cash Bail Constitutional
Click to see story on OANIllinois Supreme Court Upholds ‘SAFE-T Act,’ Eliminates Cash Bail
Click to see story on RedStateCourt clears way for Illinois to become first state to eradicate cash bail
Click to see story on Fox NewsIllinois Supreme Court Ends Cash Bail in Middle of Crime Wave
Click to see story on BreitbartRight
Untracked Bias
Illinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on Richmond NewsIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on AlbertaPrimeTimes.comHigh court upholds cash-free bail in Illinois, which takes effect in September
Click to see story on St. Albert GazetteIllinois is 1st state to eliminate cash bail ‘penalty on poverty’ amid debates over criminal justice
Click to see story on SudburyIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on Bay TodayHigh court upholds cash-free bail in Illinois, takes effect in September
Click to see story on Orillia MattersHigh court upholds cash-free bail in Illinois, takes effect in September
Click to see story on Newmarket TodayHigh court upholds cash-free bail in Illinois, takes effect in September
Click to see story on Collingwood TodayIllinois is 1st state to eliminate cash bail ‘penalty on poverty’ amid debates over criminal justice
Click to see story on Elora Fergus TodayIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on Thorold TodayHigh court upholds cash-free bail in Illinois, which takes effect in September
Click to see story on Airdrie City ViewCash Bail Will Be Eliminated in Illinois
Click to see story on WWBLHigh court upholds cash-free bail in Illinois, which takes effect in September
Click to see story on meadowlakeNOWIllinois justices uphold end to cash bail
Click to see story on The Edwardsville IntelligencerIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on WJCLIllinois Supreme Court upholds SAFE-T act, clearing path to end cash bail
Click to see story on The Daily IlliniIllinois Supreme Court rules SAFE-T Act is constitutional
Click to see story on Whig UKIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on Bradford TodayIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most – The Morning Sun
Click to see story on communityq.comIllinois is 1st state to eliminate cash bail ‘penalty on poverty’ amid debates over criminal justice
Click to see story on Timmins TodayIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
Click to see story on Maryland Daily RecordEliminating bail upheld by Illinois court
Click to see story on Beloit Daily NewsIllinois law eliminating cash bail upheld by state’s high court
Click to see story on nordot.appIllinois justices uphold end to cash bail
Click to see story on The Telegraph [thetelegraph.com]Illinois Supreme Court upholds law eliminating cash bail
Click to see story on wglt.orgBREAKING: Cash bail will be eliminated in Illinois after justices rule SAFE-T Act provisions constitutional
Click to see story on The Troy Times TribuneIllinois is first state to eliminate cash bail, a penalty affecting low-income communities most
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