The Illinois Supreme Court is taking proactive measures in response to a surge in appeals of pretrial detention rulings following the implementation of the no-cash bail law in September. To address the significant increase in cases challenging pretrial detention decisions, the Supreme Court has announced the creation of a task force.
In McLean County, State’s Attorney Erika Reynolds highlighted the widespread impact of the no-cash bail law, noting that more than half of defendants ordered to remain in jail pending trial are appealing these decisions.
The newly formed task force, composed of appellate court justices representing the state’s five Appellate Court districts, will focus on reviewing pretrial release appeals and assessing their impact on caseloads. According to a news release from the Supreme Court, the task force will collaborate with key stakeholders, including the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of the State’s Attorney Appellate Prosecutor, the Office of the State Appellate Defender, the offices of the five Appellate Court clerks, and the Illinois Appellate Lawyers Association.
Acknowledging the urgency of the matter, the task force is set to expedite its proceedings. The news release outlines that the task force will convene its initial meeting within the next two weeks and aims to present its findings and recommendations within a 45-day timeframe. This rapid response underscores the court’s commitment to addressing the challenges arising from the increased volume of pretrial detention appeals.