State attorney sees mixed results from cash bail

The Illinois Pretrial Fairness Act that ended cash bail statewide is a mixed bag for prosecutors, particularly those in understaffed jurisdictions, according to one state’s attorney.

The elimination of cash bail, a key part of the safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today Act, has reduced jail populations, but it has also significantly increased the workloads in many jurisdictions that do not have the staff and resources to cope with the changes.

“Right now we are seeing a reduction in our jail,” Macoupin County State’s Attorney Jordan Garrison said. “We are seeing more motions and mor...