Supporters of the Illinois law say it’s wrong to keep people in jail simply because they can’t afford bail.
On Tuesday, a hearing was underway in Kankakee County where a judge listened to arguments in a combined lawsuit brought on by prosecutors and sheriffs from more than 60 counties.
Part of the controversial SAFE-T Act — signed by Governor JB Pritzker and set to take effect on January 1 — would eliminate cash bail unless a defendant is facing life in prison.SUBSCRIBE TO FOX 32 CHICAGO ON YOUTUBE Those opposed to the legislation argue it will cause a spike in crime, and that it improperly amends the state constitution.
Lawyers for the defendants say the constitution "interprets bail, at its core, to include a monetary amount." "We are a nation of laws, a state of laws and as much as the defendants have touted themselves for passing what they refer to as the most sweeping, most progressive, he most equitable justice reforms in the state’s history, what they have ultimately done is they have spent two years, and what they have to show for it are the most unconstitutional justice reforms in the state’s and perhaps the nation’s history," said Kankakee County State’s Attorney Jim Rowe.
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