Illinois Governor JB Pritzker (D) signed comprehensive criminal justice reform legislation this week, making his state the first in the country to end bail in cash.
In an announcement detailing the legislation, which the governor signed on Monday, Pritzker’s office said that political action will help move the state “from a pre-trial detention system that prioritizes wealth to one that prioritizes public security.” The practice of cash bail in the country has been criticized for disproportionately impacting people of color and low-income people, while benefiting defendants with richer backgrounds.
The move to end the practice is just one of a series of political actions included in Bill 3,653 of the House that the governor’s office says aims to expand “security, equity and justice through the transformation of the criminal justice system. of State”.
Other actions included in the bill outlined in the announcement include mandatory use of body-worn cameras in police departments across the state, setting state standards on the use of force, deceleration and arrest techniques, and ending suspensions license on fines and unpaid fees for certain traffic violations.
Pritzker said in a statement that the legislation “marks a substantial step towards dismantling the systemic racism that plagues our communities, our state and our nation and brings us closer to true security, true justice and true justice”.
“In this terrible year, in the midst of a brutal viral pandemic that hit blacks and browns disproportionately, lawmakers struggled to tackle the systemic racism pandemic after national protests,” he continued.
“This bill was also infused with solutions from individuals most directly impacted: survivors of domestic violence, survivors of crime and those who were detained before the trial just because they are poor,” added the governor.
The governor also credited the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus for his efforts to lead the bill against Republican opposition.
State senator Elgie Sims (D), a member of the caucus, said the reforms should be “the first steps we will take to transform criminal justice in Illinois”.
“We must reimagine accountability. We must reimagine transparency. We must reimagine incarceration. These reforms are a start,” he said.
“This historic moment is the result of a monumental effort on the part of countless people, from those who testified during the 30 hours of public hearings on these topics, to those who have been pushing for some of these reforms for years, and mainly by the Illinoisans who signaled your support, ”said Sims. “I thank them for raising their voices and never giving up, and I thank Governor Pritzker for making these measures the country’s law. The journey continues. ”
“For a decade, we have worked to reduce our dependence on the old-fashioned cash bail system in Cook County; and our efforts have shown that we have been able to do this safely, ”said Cook County Council President Toni Preckwinkle.
“This work, along with decades of advocacy and expertise from across the state and communities most affected by crime, shaped this valiant and just legislation,” added Preckwinkle.