On July 18th, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that the state must end money bond and implement the Pretrial Fairness Act next month. This decision comes seven months after the court took up the case and more than two and a half years since the legislature made the Pretrial Fairness Act the law of the land. Throughout that time and right here in Will County, State’s Attorneys have worked to undermine the law, now they have a responsibility to properly implement it. Failing to do so would violate the rights of the accused and put the public in danger.
Cash bail has been a blight on our justice system, perpetuating a heinous cycle that preys upon the impoverished, deepening the chasm between the wealthy who can buy their way out and those left to rot in jails due to sheer lack of resources. By continuing to rally against the end of cash bail, these state’s attorneys are shamefully endorsing a system where justice is auctioned off to the highest bidder.
The Pretrial Fairness Act is not a suggestion, it’s law. It’s high time these court officials got their acts together and reexamine their misguided opposition to this pivotal legislation. The people of Illinois demand a justice system that serves everyone, not just those lining their pockets.
Bruno Garcia
Romeoville, IL