President Preckwinkle Statement on the Two-Year Anniversary of the End of Money Bond and Attempts to Undermine Reform

Two years ago, Illinois was the first state to end the use of money bond as a condition of pretrial release, and we are the only state to have ended money bond completely. With the Pretrial Fairness Act, we replaced a flawed and unjust system with a thoughtfully designed pretrial system that is more fair, safe and effective. 

In Cook County, we are proud to be working with elected officials and advocates to build a more fair and just criminal legal system that prioritizes the safety and success of all people and communities.  

I am committed to facilitating ongoing collaboration among stakeholders so we can continue to improve our legal system for residents and serve as a national example of what is possible. 

Toni Preckwinkle
Cook County Board President

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Background: 

As we mark the two-year anniversary of key reforms under the historic Pretrial Fairness Act, we ground our reflection in these facts: 

• The money bond system criminalized poverty and drained resources from families and communities. When pretrial release was tied to wealth, those who could not pay were subject to needless time in jail, further destabilizing vulnerable people and making communities less safe. 
• Our new system rightfully bases the serious decision of whether someone is held in jail while awaiting trial solely on safety and the facts of the case. People who do not pose a risk to the community are not subject to jail time because they cannot pay bail; they can attend to work and family obligations during their trial. Those who pose a risk to the community can be held in jail regardless of their wealth or connections. 
• In the two years since the Pretrial Fairness Act took effect, almost all types of crime are down significantly, particularly violent crime. In Cook County, we have seen a 35% drop in gun homicides from this time last year. Research has shown no significant change in rates of people failing to appear in court or being charged with new offenses while awaiting trail.