SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Tom Bennett (R-Gibson City) released the following statement on the elimination of cash bail taking effect Monday, September 18th:
“Neglecting to distribute sufficient funds for our courts and necessary victim services may soon force counties to decrease their services, increase taxes, or both. It’s important to recognize that taxpayers will now carry the financial burden of bail for violent offenders.
“Since the enactment of the SAFE-T Act in 2021, the Majority Party has chosen to overlook the underfunding of our courts and the various unclear provisions that will create significant challenges in implementing the legislation.
“Advocating for a complete overhaul of our criminal justice system and deliberately failing to provide the necessary funding is not merely irresponsible, it is dangerous. Abolishing cash bail without identifying an alternate funding source for counties will impact the functioning of our courts.