Illinois lawmakers consider eliminating cash bail

Two years after passing a significant bail bond reform law, some Illinois lawmakers are now considering doing away with cash bail altogether.

Supporters of that idea say it would bring greater fairness to the system, especially for low-income people charged with relatively minor offenses.

But prosecutors and law enforcement officials warn that such a move could have far-reaching consequences, including putting victims of domestic violence at risk and taking away the ability of local courts to fund services for crime victims.

Those were some of the issues raised Tuesday in a House committee reviewing the impacts of the 2017 law.

Read more: https://www.sj-r.com/news/20190430/illinois-lawmakers-consider-eliminating-cash-bail