Slaughter Applauds Illinois Supreme Court Decision Upholding the Pretrial Fairness Act

CHICAGO – House Judiciary Criminal Committee Chairman Justin Slaughter issued the following statement after the Illinois Supreme Court upheld the smart bail reforms Slaughter championed in the Pretrial Fairness Act: 

“The Illinois Supreme Court’s decision to uphold bail reform marks a significant achievement in our efforts to make our justice system smarter, make our communities safer, and address decades of racial and economic disparities.

“We should all celebrate the end of a fundamentally unfair and irrational system that used wealth to determine whether someone facing criminal charges would be jailed or released pending the outcome of their case. The money bond system caused deep harm to individuals, families, and entire communities. It disproportionately impacted Black and Brown Illinoisans.

“I’m proud to have played a pivotal role in passing the SAFE-T Act and the Pretrial Fairness Act, and I’m grateful for the work of my colleagues in the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus. Now, we welcome the opportunity to implement the pretrial reforms that will increase both public safety and fairness for all residents, no matter their economic status.”