CHICAGO, Ill. (FOX News)–Illinois will be the first state in the nation to end cash bail.
That means people charged with a crime are going to be released essentially with just a promise to show up for trial.
Critics say the SAFE-T law will actually make people less safe. They point out that more than just low level offenders will be released from jail. Drug offenses, burglary, arson, robbery, carjacking, even kidnapping suspects will be eligible to walk out of jail allowing them to potentially reoffend or harass witnesses.
One suburban Mayor calls it downright dangerous. But backers of the law say if prosecutors and the court are willing to allow bail in cases, they have already determined a suspect is not a danger to society– and only poor people end up behind bars.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker in fact says the law “brings us closer to true safety, true fairness and true justice.”
The law goes into effect in January.
