SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) — Two years after Illinois eliminated cash bail, debate over its effectiveness is ongoing. Republican State Sen. Steve McClure of Springfield, a consistent opponent of the Pretrial Fairness Act, calls for changes, saying, “It hasn’t worked at all.” McClure believes bond should remain available for financial crimes and that judges should be able to detain anyone accused of a felony.
Under current law, judges can detain individuals for residential burglary or burglary involving force, deciding whether the accused poses a community risk. Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser supports giving judges more discretion, stating, “We have to look at this and tweak it.”
Data from the Office of Statewide Pretrial Services shows that in Circuit 7, which includes Sangamon County, about 46% of crimes could lead to detainment, while 22% of detention requests were denied. However, data on repeat offenders remains incomplete, raising concerns for both supporters and critics of the law.
Democratic State Sen. Elgie Sims of Chicago stresses the need for comprehensive data, saying, “I want to have as much data as possible.” Ben Ruddell from the Illinois ACLU says the system is functioning as intended but also calls for more information.
In Champaign County, 50% of crimes are considered detainable, with 37% of detention requests denied. In Macoupin County, 41% of crimes are detainable, with only 4% of requests denied. The debate over the law’s impact continues as stakeholders seek more data to guide potential adjustments.
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