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Explain It to Me

Why Illinois wants to end cash bail

Explain It to Me

Vox Media Podcast Network

Education, Politics, News, Society & Culture

4.47.9K Ratings

🗓️ 21 March 2023

⏱️ 53 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

This month, the Illinois Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case examining the Safe-T Act. The legislation would bring sweeping reform to the state’s criminal justice system, but one policy in particular has caught the eye and the ire of prosecutors: the elimination of cash bail. Proponents say ending cash bail bonds will get rid of inequities that favor the rich; opponents say it will lead to a rise in crime. What does the fight over cash bail in Illinois tell us about criminal justice in America? References: Season 4 of WBEZ’s Motive podcast Safe-T Act and cash bail goes before Illinois Supreme Court | WBEZ Chicago The Chicago Community Bond Fund I Was Locked Away from My Children for 14 Months Because I Couldn't Make Bail The Lifeline and 988 Guests: Lavette Mayes Shannon Heffernan (@shannon_h) Insha Rahman Credits: Jonquilyn Hill, host Sofi LaLonde, producer Cristian Ayala, engineer A.M. Hall, editorial director of talk podcasts Want to support The Weeds? Please consider making a donation to Vox: bit.ly/givepodcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

I'm John Quinhill and this is another episode of The Weeds.

0:07.2

So here at Vox, we work remotely and one of the cool parts about remote work when you

0:12.8

work on a policy podcast is that you get to hear about the policies that are being shaped

0:17.6

around the country where your coworkers live.

0:20.2

Like for instance, I'm in DC, which means I'm good for randomly talking about home

0:25.2

role.

0:26.4

The producer, Sophie, is based in Chicago, which means we've been hearing a lot about

0:31.7

the drama surrounding the Chicago mayoral race.

0:35.0

Lori Lightfoot has not only had trouble making friends, but she has had trouble keeping

0:40.0

friends.

0:41.5

It also means we've been hearing about state level issues too, including the states move

0:46.6

to eliminate cash bail.

0:49.1

Deputy Solisker General, Alex Himmer for the Attorney General, the governor and the legislative

0:54.0

leaders.

0:55.2

The Illinois legislature is trying to make the land of Lincoln the first state to eliminate

0:59.6

cash bail.

1:00.9

The circuit court's sweeping decision, setting aside the safety acts, pretrial release provisions

1:05.8

should be reversed for two main reasons.

1:08.5

But that's been met with opposition and now it's in the hands of the state Supreme Court.

1:13.8

My name is Jim Roe.

1:14.8

I'm the state's attorney for Cancay King County and my oath and the interest of public safety

1:21.4

compel me to contest the Defendants Act.

...

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