NEWSLETTER MARCH 2021
The Pretrial Fairness Act is law in Illinois!
On February 22, 2021 Governor Pritzker signed House Bill 3653, or Police and Criminal Justice Reform Bill, into law making Illinois the first state to end money bond by 2023! More commonly known as the Pretrial Fairness Act, this historic legislation was written by advocates and organizers in the Coalition to End Money Bond and the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice. The bill was championed in Springfield by Senators Elgie Sims and Robert Peters and Representative Justin Slaughter. Thousands of people and more than 100 organizations from all over Illinois came together to push for the passing of this bill. It is a huge step in coming closer to minimizing the criminalization and incarceration of poor people through cash bail. The bill also works to minimize pretrial incarceration through a few different avenues. It limits eligibility for pretrial incarceration, regulates risk assessment tools so they aren’t the only reason for pretrial incarceration, and avoids unnecessary pretrial detention by requiring police to give some people tickets without arrest and authorizing them to release others who have been arrested with court dates in cases where there is no risk to public safety. What feels most important about the passage of this legislation is how it shows us the power of community. The overwhelming support and advocacy from organizations and individuals throughout the state make it clear that when we act together, we have power we could never know alone! We are grateful to be in community with all of you as we look towards the next challenge, like pushing for an amendment to the TIRC (Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission) legislation. (Read on for more about that!)
P.O. BOX 647 EVANSTON, IL 60204 CHICAGOTORTUREJUSTICE.ORG