The former police chief for the village of Riverside anticipates ‘chaos’ will breakout when cash bail is officially eliminated in September
Illinois will make history by becoming the first state to abolish cash bail in September, despite opposition from those who believe it may compromise public safety and law enforcement efforts.
State ending cash bail will cause suburban chaos
The Illinois Supreme Court’s recent ruling upheld the constitutionality of removing cash bail, allowing the law to be implemented on September 18th. Under the new rules, suspects charged with crimes won’t be required to post bail to be released from jail while awaiting trial. However, individuals considered dangerous to the public or likely to flee can still be held in custody.
Governor J.B. Pritzker, a proponent of this change, has long argued that eliminating cash bail is a crucial step towards dismantling systemic racism in communities. He applauded the Supreme Court’s decision, emphasizing that it was part of the broader effort to address racial disparities after nationwide protests in 2021.
However, opponents, including retired Riverside Police Chief Tom Weitzel, argue that activists and politicians exaggerate the need for eliminating cash bail. Weitzel contends that the claim of unfair treatment based on race is overstated, and many low-level offenders were never held in custody, to begin with. He believes cash bail served the purpose of ensuring suspects showed up for court, but this concept was misconstrued to promote the complete elimination of bail for those not yet found guilty.
The law, part of the 2021 criminal justice reform bill called the Safety, Accountability, Fairness, and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act, was initially scheduled to take effect on January 1st. However, it faced legal challenges from numerous sheriffs and prosecutors, who argued that it was unconstitutional and jeopardized public safety. A county judge’s earlier ruling declaring the law unconstitutional was later overturned by the state Supreme Court.
While some law enforcement officials fear the impact of this change, the exact consequences remain uncertain until it is implemented. Questions arise about how to handle existing cases and arrest warrants previously assigned cash bonds. Law enforcement authorities in various regions, especially those not accustomed to Cook County’s leniency, are concerned about the practical implications.
The murder of George Floyd in 2020 triggered a shift in policing policies in Illinois, leading to more lenient policies being adopted statewide. Such changes were predominantly influenced by politicians from the Chicago and Cook County areas.
Overall, while there are some positive aspects of the SAFE-T Act, such as police body camera usage and training legislation, the elimination of cash bail remains a contentious issue. Critics anticipate potential chaos after its implementation, especially among suburban law enforcement departments, where dissatisfaction and demotivation may arise.
