Overview

• On August 25, the president signed executive orders initiating a review to identify jurisdictions that have substantially eliminated cash bail and to consider withholding federal grants.
• The orders direct Attorney General Pam Bondi to deliver within 30 days a list of states and localities that ended cash bail for specified offenses.
• Illinois, the first state to abolish cash bail under the Pretrial Fairness Act, replaced money bonds with hearings where prosecutors must justify pretrial detention for serious charges.
• Gov. JB Pritzker rejected the funding threat on August 26, saying federal officials are ignoring evidence from Illinois’ rollout and asserting the reforms are working.
• Loyola University Chicago research shows missed court appearances fell from 25% to 23% after reform and a larger share of defendants charged with serious violent offenses are now held pretrial.