Rock Island Today

Gov. J.B. Pritzker plans to end cash bail but his policy is receiving severe backlash from Republican lawmakers and law enforcement and a new coalition was formed in early March to oppose the effort, according to WQAD.

The coalition's purpose is to oppose any efforts in the General Assembly to end the cash bail system. The move by the governor is part of the criminal justice reform policy and he claims the cash bail system is "discriminatory."

Illinois changed how people accused of crimes can get out of jail before their court proceedings in 2017. The same bill changed how offenders go to trial as well.

As it presently stands, offenders who commit nonviiolent crimes don’t have to post bail to get released from jail. However, Pritzker plans to expand the policy and that is worrying many in law enforcement.

Reports reveal that Whiteside County has almost 100 inmates in jail. However, Sheriff John Booker indicated to WQAD that only 24 of the inmates presently incarcerated have been tried and sentenced. He says many inmates can't afford to post bail.

“A lot of people in our jail are sitting there because they can’t post bond,” Booker told WQAD.

Pritzker has said the overcrowded jails is one reason for getting rid of the jail bond system and he wants to eliminate cash bail altogether. He also says the current system is discriminatory and unfair to offenders who don't have the money to post bail.

However, Jon Leach, who is a Moline detective, indicated that the bond isn’t designed to be a punishment for alleged crimes, it’s for the protection of the community.

“A lot of these people are getting out and committing more crimes,” Leach told WQUAD. “We see a lot of the same people get arrested multiple times, not just for misdemeanors but for felonies.” 

Leach said there are exceptions to the rule--for first-time offenders and those without an extensive criminal history.