Bail and Pretrial Archives

Commentary: Cook County judges are violating the SAFE-T Act’s electronic monitoring reforms

The law requires that people on electronic monitoring be allowed to go grocery shopping or take out the trash, but judges — with the help of Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart — have denied dozens of people this ‘essential movement,’ writes the MacArthur Justice Center’s Jonathan Manes.

by Jonathan Manes November 16, 2022February 1, 2024

Bail and Pretrial

There’s no ‘Purge Law’: Debunking right-wing propaganda about the SAFE-T Act

Myths, half-truths, and obvious falsehoods about the SAFE-T Act have spread like wildfire. Injustice Watch breaks down and fact-checks some of the most egregious claims.

by Carlos Ballesteros September 15, 2022January 8, 2024

State Rep. Justin Slaughter, center, holds up his fist while wearing a black glove after the SAFE-T Act passed the Illinois House.

Bail and Pretrial

The conservative backlash to the SAFE-T Act is nothing new

Throughout history, anytime there’s progress made in Black liberatory work, there’s often an oppressive force on the other side using all their might to shut it down, writes The TRiiBE’s Tiffany Walden.

by Tiffany Walden September 15, 2022January 8, 2024

Bail and Pretrial

Illinois criminal justice reformers won a historic legislative victory in 2021. But the law they passed isn’t a done deal.

The same forces that fought against the SAFE-T Act when it was introduced in January are still looking for ways to change the historic criminal justice reform law.

by Emanuella Evans, Adeshina Emmanuel and Jonah Newman November 3, 2021January 8, 2024

Gov. JB Pritzker signs criminal justice reform package sitting at a green table surrounded by lawmakers in suits and face masks..

Bail and Pretrial

After the SAFE-T Act, what’s next for criminal justice reform in Illinois?

Speakers at Injustice Watch’s virtual town hall said the work has just begun in reforming the criminal justice system.

by Rita Oceguera October 1, 2021January 8, 2024

Bail and Pretrial

Illinois criminal justice reform ends cash bail, changes felony murder rule

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs historic criminal justice reform package into law, reforming almost every area of the justice system — from police accountability to pretrial detention to sentencing.

by Emanuella Evans and Rita Oceguera February 23, 2021January 8, 2024

Bail and Pretrial

Illinois criminal justice reform bill critics playing ‘Fear-Mongering Bingo’ says State Sen. Robert Peters

Peters alleges that police and conservatives bashing the reforms, including the “Pretrial Fairness Act” that would end cash bail in Illinois, are using “Willie Horton-style scare tactics.”

by Robert Peters January 21, 2021December 5, 2023

Bail and Pretrial

Illinois lawmakers move to end cash bail with ‘Pretrial Fairness Act’

A bill that would end the use of cash bail statewide passed in the Illinois legislature this week. Gov. J.B. Pritzker is expected to sign the provision, part of a massive criminal justice reform bill, into law.

by Emanuella Evans January 14, 2021December 5, 2023

Bail and Pretrial

Illinois’ criminal justice overhaul makes it easier to decertify bad cops. But it could be harder for the public to learn about them.

A little-discussed amendment to the sweeping criminal justice package creates a new process to decertify Illinois police officers. But transparency advocates are alarmed by provisions that appear to restrict public access to misconduct records.

by Sam Stecklow, Invisible Institute January 13, 2021February 5, 2024

Bail and Pretrial

Sweeping criminal justice reform package would curtail felony murder prosecutions in Illinois

Lawmakers could vote this week on changes to a controversial statute that advocates say helps drive mass incarceration.

by Rita Oceguera January 12, 2021December 5, 2023

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