Law
Illinois Supreme Court halts elimination of cash bail
The high court said in Saturday's order that the stay was needed to “maintain consistent pretrial procedures throughout Illinois” as the court prepares to hear arguments on the matter.
Politics
The Politics Section of the Chicago Journal.
Illinois Politics
Prosecutors file emergency motion to suspend SAFE-T Act statewide until ILSC can rule on pretrial release
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser filed an emergency motion to the Illinois Supreme Court on Friday asking for a statewide suspension of the enforcement of the controversial SAFE-T Act legislation set to go into effect on Sunday.
Illinois Politics
Critics expect chaos under Illinois bail ban despite ruling
House Republicans on Thursday urged Democrats who approved the plan nearly two years ago to halt and fix the so-called Pretrial Fairness Act that's part of an expansive criminal justice overhaul, after Kankakee County Judge Thomas Cunnington overturned the law.
Illinois Politics
Kankakee County Judge rules portions of Illinois SAFE-T Act unconstitutional
Illinois' controversial SAFE-T Act was scheduled to go into effect statewide on January 1, 2023, but now will be suspended in the 65 Illinois counties who participated in the consolidated lawsuit against Gov. J.B. Pritzker's administration and the other legislative leaders named in the suit.
Law
Illinois judge weighing challenge to SAFE-T Act, law ending cash bail
An Illinois judge said he planned to rule by the end of this month on a lawsuit challenging the state’s landmark SAFE-T Act criminal justice overhaul that includes eliminating the setting of cash bail for those accused of crimes to be released from jail.
Politics
Chicago-based election nonprofit that drew GOP ire in 2020 renews grants
The Chicago-based Center for Tech and Civic Life has released only general details about how much money each office will receive but the money comes with almost no restrictions and conservative groups have criticized the private funding of elections.
Illinois Politics
Illinois Sen. Scott Bennett dies at 45
A state senator since 2015, Bennett died from complications of a large brain tumor, according to his wife Stacy Bennett. She said the family is shocked by the unexpected suddenness of her husband's death.
Illinois Politics
Illinois lawmakers OK crime bill, plan ends bail
Democrats who control the Illinois General Assembly approved followup clarifications of their watershed criminal justice overhaul Thursday, trying to appease critics by adding numerous offenses to a list of crimes that qualify a defendant to remain jailed while awaiting trial.
Illinois Politics
Illinois legislators to decide whether to end cash bail
One of Illinois' most comprehensive — and contentious — pieces of legislation is scheduled for another cleanup, after it was both venerated and vilified during the fall election campaign. This is legislators' last chance to finalize details before major parts of the package take effect Jan. 1.
Illinois Politics
Election Day 2022: Bailey vs. Pritzker highlights Illinois' races but others could be key bellwethers
The high-profile Illinois Gubernatorial highlights today's elections but other Illinois races could prove to be key bellwethers for how the nation feels about the direction of the country.
Politics
In campaign swing, Biden focuses on incumbent Democrats
President Joe Biden’s travel plan for his last big campaign swing before Tuesday’s midterm elections reveals his defensive stance in the campaign’s closing days: He’s spending the bulk of his time trying to hang on to seats that his party already holds.
Illinois Politics
Illinois takes center stage in battle over union rights vote
The fate of the ballot measure is being closely watched in Illinois and beyond, as it will gauge public support for the labor movement that has lost ground for years in conservative-led states.