WATCH: Police officer, legislator: Seize opportunity to reform Illinois’ cashless bail

By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Illinois Republicans want to change the state’s no-cash bail law. Democrats say cashless bail is working.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday to end federal funds for jurisdictions with no-cash bail laws. Illinois was the first state to implement the law statewide in September 2023.

Republicans have called for the law to be reversed. If not that, then to expand the types of criminal charges defendants can be held on pretrial.

State Sen. Robert Peters, D-Chicago, said he’s tired of the debate and Republicans aren’t genuine.

“Elected officials need to stop playing with fear. They need to understand that policies have not been working and Illinois has made a shift,” Peters said in response to Trump’s order.

Approved in January 2021, the Illinois Supreme Court allowed the Pretrial Fairness Act to take effect in September 2023.

Republican state Rep. Patrick Sheehan, R-Homer Glen, who is also a law enforcement officer, said Peters needs to talk to victims.

“These stories are horrific, absolutely horrific, and I would just circle back and say to Senator Peters, talk to the victims because they’re out here. They’re real,” Sheehan told The Center Square.

Sheehan points to the case of Jose Luis Mendoza-Gonzalez who was charged with concealing a death, abusing a corpse and obstructing justice in connection with the death of 37-year-old Megan Bos of Antioch. Under the Pretrial Fairness Act, the suspect was released without having to pay bail. Mendoza-Gonzalez was later apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Asked about Trump’s order Tuesday, Pritzker insisted Illinois’ end of cash bail is working.

“We have not yet discussed a response and I can say that it’s clear that the president hasn’t really read any of the background and actually what’s happened as a result of the law that has been put in place,” Pritzker said at an unrelated event in Decatur.

Sheehan said the law is negatively impacting public safety and police morale.

“Use my experience, let’s try and get this right,” Sheehan said. “I think this is an opportunity. Bring our caucuses together. Let’s sit down at the negotiating table.”

State Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, said his door is open for discussions about potential reforms, but insists the law is working.

Legislators are set to return to the state capitol in October. It’s unclear how Trump’s order will impact the state’s finances with the possibility of litigation.