Trump targets cashless bail in Illinois and other states with executive order

WASHINGTON (WGN) — President Donald Trump took action Monday, targeting cities and states, including Illinois, that have eliminated cash bail.

Illinois became the first state to fully implement the Pretrial Fairness Act, which ended money bonds. President Donald Trump on Monday signed a series of executive orders aimed at further cracking down on crime, however, including one order targeting cashless bail policies.

 

Trump’s move comes amid threats of pulled federal funding.

“They kill people and get out. Cashless bail. They thought it was discriminatory to make people put up money,” Trump said Monday, putting pen to paper on the topic of cashless bail.

“We are starting by ending it in Washington, D.C., which we have the right to do through federalization.”

The action calls on Attorney General Pam Bondi to draw up a list within 30 days of other jurisdictions with cashless bail policies.

“They have a great cashless bail, you don’t even have to go to court sometimes,” Trump remarked.

While not true, Illinois Republicans say the elimination of monetary bail is a slap in the face for victims.

Illinois State Rep. Patrick Sheehan (R-Homer Glen), who has also worked as a police officer for the better part of two decades, said there have been instances where people accused of violent crimes evade jail time.

“The failures of cashless bail, the catch-and-release policies, and the lack of judicial control have left nothing but victims in its wake,” Sheehan said. “They can be released, and they get put on ankle monitoring, and sometimes released to the comfort of their own home.”

Proponents of the Pretrial Fairness Act see cash bail as a penalty on poverty, where the wealthy can pay their way out of jail.  

“We put forth a system prioritizing public safety over your financial needs and your bank account, and we are seeing positive results,” said Illinois State Rep. Justin Slaughter (D-Chicago).

“The president has no interest in giving working people safety. What he has an interest in is playing political games and flirting with authoritarianism,” said Illinois State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago). 

The bill sponsors, along with multiple impact studies, show no significant relationship between bail reform and crime rates. Ed Yohnka, with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), suggests Trump’s executive orders will lead to a showdown in court.  

“The President of the United States cannot commandeer state and local policies by threatening to cut off funds and abandon federal responsibility,” Yohnka said. “It simply does not work.”