What happens when cash bail ends in Illinois? In other states, narrower attempts have succeeded but debate goes on

Gov. J.B. Pritzker holds up the nearly 800-page signed sweeping criminal justice reform bill at Chicago State University on Feb. 22, 2021. (Ashlee Rezin | Sun-Times)

Illinois is poised to become the first state to eliminate cash bail, expanding an approach that has seen some success across the country even as it’s been vilified here.

In a barrage of attack ads before last year’s elections, the Pretrial Fairness Act was derided as a “purge law” that would unleash violent criminals upon the public.