The statewide debate over the abolition of cash bail included a Facebook “town hall” Thursday by central Illinois Republicans calling themselves the “Freedom Caucus.”
“There’s all kinds of horror stories about what happens (when the law takes effect) on Jan. 1,” said State Rep. Chris Miller (R-Oakland). “Some of the things we’ve heard is that they are going to empty the jails. Is that true, or is that fearmongering?”
There are only certain offenses that can be detained,” said Robert Adrian, a judge based in Quincy.. We have discussed at our judges’ meetings what we’d do with the people who are incarcerated”
The judge said the next step is to talk with the sheriff and state’s attorney.
The discussion over cash bail, as well as the rest of a criminal justice package passed last year, would have you hardly believe the two sides are even talking about the same legislation.
Gov. JB Pritzker has described the cash bail provision with a mother shoplifting diapers in mind. The “Freedom Caucus” panel says that’s off base.