SPRINGFIELD – Following the misinformation campaign on the Pretrial Fairness Act, State Senator Patricia Van Pelt voted to pass House Bill 1095 out of the Senate. This bill seeks to clarify provisions in the Pretrial Fairness Act, which goes into effect this January.

“My colleagues and I are proud of what we’ve accomplished with the SAFE-T Act, and we wanted to ensure that the purpose of Pretrial Fairness Act is protected,” said Van Pelt (D-Chicago). “There was so much misinformation spread around the elimination of the cash bail system, and we wanted to make sure there is no confusion when the law is implemented in January.”

House Bill 1095 will clarify the Pretrial Fairness Act’s dangerousness standard, trespassing, and other terms related to the transition to the new system. Current detainees can request to have the new system applied to their situation, with the system designed to give the court extended time to review more serious cases.

Further, the measure explains that judges can issue warrants and summons, providing a reminder that any person who poses a threat to the community or someone else – including trespassers – can be arrested, and clarifying court authority when it comes to electronic monitoring, among other items. 

“This bill is not really changing anything in the SAFE-T Act, rather guaranteeing that its language cannot be taken out of context,” Van Pelt said. “This was a collaborative process with law enforcement, states attorneys and other stakeholders, and so many people are awaiting this much-needed change.”

House Bill 1095 passed the Senate Thursday. The measure is a collaborative effort alongside law enforcement, states attorneys, End Money Bond Coalition, ACLU of Illinois, the Cook County Public Defender’s Office, the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, CAASE, and more.

To combat any confusion or misinformation, anyone with questions can find quick facts and graphics for the SAFE-T Act at HB3653.org.