
The state says there are 40,000 people incarcerated in Illinois prisons and another 20,000 in jails. Lt Governor Juliana Stratton says as she and the Pritzker administration work on criminal justice reforms they want to help lower those populations by eliminating cash bail.
Stratton says she’s talked to people sitting in jail for no other reason than they can’t raise the money to get out before awaiting a trial.
Opponents want to know that public safety won’t be put at risk if cash bail is eliminated and want to know that people will still show up for court to face charges.