Overview
- House Bill 1482 from Rep. Patrick Windhorst would allow detention for any felony if a judge finds the person more likely than not to pose a safety risk.
- The proposal lowers the evidentiary standard for detention from clear and convincing evidence to a preponderance of evidence.
- President Donald Trump’s recent executive order directs the attorney general to identify jurisdictions that eliminated cash bail for potential funding consequences.
- Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke says the current system is working and notes county crime levels have improved compared with recent years.
- Loyola University researchers report pretrial reoffending is uncommon, while some sheriffs and GOP lawmakers cite rising failures to appear and local revenue strains since bond payments ended.