A Chicago Problem Looking For A State Solution

The Governor says he wants to end the use of cash bail, or what is known as “money bond” in Illinois. I think he is doing it for all the wrong reasons. Almost everybody in law enforcement outside of Cook County doesn’t like the idea.

Those who want to get rid of cash bail believe it holds those less fortunate behind bars while affluent alleged lawbreakers get released, making them better able to prepare themselves for trial. The proponents also suggest the practice is racist and forces guilty pleas from innocent people.

The race card doesn’t really play well here. The inmates downtown look rather pale.

Even with our county jail nearly full, I’d rather have a hefty bond set on an alleged sexual offender than sending him back out into the community. Judges already have the authority to lower a bond amount or release people on their own recognizance if they deem the initial bond to be too high.

You know why the Governor is pushing this? New York did it first. We can never look the other way when New York or California come up with a bad idea.

Dropping cash bail, will make it harder for a State’s Attorney to barter negotiated pleas. This measure would greatly increase trials in an already congested system, so I’m against it.  

Chalk it up to another case where Cook County’s problems cast a long shadow over the other 101 counties in Illinois.