On September 18, 2023, the Pretrial Fairness Act took effect in Illinois, the first state in the country to eliminate the use of money bonds. Illinois replaced its outmoded system with one in which judges make intentional “in or out” decisions about pretrial release and detention and individualized determinations about conditions of release.
APPR is pleased to offer a free webinar about this historic change, its impact on the daily operations of the court, and lessons learned relevant to other states or localities seeking to make similar changes to their pretrial system. The webinar will take place on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. ET.
The Pretrial Fairness Act has fundamentally reshaped the system of pretrial justice in Illinois. In addition to abolishing the use of money bonds, the new law statutorily presumes that people will be released pretrial, designates a list of offenses eligible for pretrial detention, requires that the prosecutor request a detention hearing (otherwise, the person will be released with conditions), sets forth due process safeguards for all pretrial hearings (including having defense counsel at first appearance), explains the situations in which pretrial release may be revoked, and allows for the immediate appeal of all pretrial decisions.
Parallel to the passage of the Pretrial Fairness Act, Illinois decided to invest in pretrial services and created the Office of Statewide Pretrial Services in 2021 to ensure that such services were provided in every county in the state.
In this webinar, you will hear from a panel of local and state experts about the law and the changes it is bringing to pretrial decision making, local jail populations, and pretrial outcomes. You will also learn about how the changes are impacting those at the center of the hearings: the people who are arrested and charged with a crime. The panelists will also offer their advice on how to catalyze pretrial improvements in your jurisdiction.
Participants can expect to do the following by the end of the webinar:
Staff from the Center for Effective Public Policy will moderate the webinar.
Matt Alsdorf, associate director, Center for Effective Public Policy
Mr. Alsdorf is a co-director of APPR. He is a lawyer by training and previously served as the vice president of criminal justice at the Laura and John Arnold Foundation. For APPR, Mr. Alsdorf assists jurisdictions and oversees the development of pretrial resources.
Alison Shames, director, Center for Effective Public Policy
Ms. Shames is a co-director of APPR and serves on CEPP’s board of directors. She is a lawyer by training and has provided training and technical assistance in pretrial justice, community supervision, sentencing, and corrections to dozens of jurisdictions for over 15 years.
Our panelists serve in various capacities throughout Illinois. The panelists are a judge, a state’s attorney, a public defender, a pretrial services director, a victims’ rights representative, and a person with lived experience.
Keith Grant, attorney, Lake County Public Defender Office, and president, Illinois Public Defender Association
Mr. Grant has been an assistant public defender in Lake County for 31 years, working in and supervising nearly every division within that office. He served on the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Pretrial Practices and the court’s Pretrial Implementation Task Force. Mr. Grant has presented and participated in panels on the Pretrial Fairness Act and pretrial reform for several bar associations and criminal defense organizations across the state.
Kathleen Hankes, recovery coach
Ms. Hankes is a passionate supporter and person in long-term recovery. She uses her experience as a person impacted by the criminal legal system to make a difference in the lives of people looking to make a positive change. As a certified addiction counselor and recovery support specialist, Ms. Hankes lives her values by also working as a recovery coach with the Kane County Drug Rehabilitation Court and Serenity House Counseling Services. She is currently pursuing a BSW and plans to earn her MSW and LCSW.
The Honorable Clint Hull, Kane County
The Honorable Clint Hull has served as a judge in Kane County since 2009 and as a circuit judge since 2016. He was elected as the chief judge of Kane County from 2019–2023. Prior to being appointed a judge, he served as a prosecutor for 16 years. Judge Hull was one of three judges the Illinois Supreme Court appointed to serve on the Pretrial Implementation Task Force.
Sharone R. Mitchell Jr., Cook County Public Defender and former director of the Illinois Justice Project
Mr. Mitchell is a passionate advocate for the rights of everyone represented by the public defender’s office and for criminal legal system reform to increase justice and keep communities safe. His six-year appointment began in April 2021. Mr. Mitchell began his legal career as an assistant public defender in Cook County, including assignments in the Civil, First Municipal, and Felony Trial Divisions. Later, he joined the Illinois Justice Project (IJP), one of the state’s leading criminal legal system reform nonprofits, becoming IJP’s director in 2019.
Amanda Pyron, executive director, The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence
Ms. Pyron has served over five years as the executive director of The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence, a comprehensive membership-based organization advocating, educating, and organizing to end domestic violence. She is an experienced professional in the domestic and family violence sector, having worked as a community-based advocate and as a program director at the U.S. Department of Justice.
Cara LeFevour Smith, director, Illinois Office of Statewide Pretrial Services
Ms. Smith was appointed director of the Illinois Office of Statewide Pretrial Services on September 13, 2021. Prior to that appointment, she was a circuit court judge in Cook County, assigned to the juvenile justice division. Ms. Smith previously served as deputy chief of staff to Attorney General Lisa Madigan and held various positions in the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, including chief policy officer and executive director of the Cook County Jail. She is a graduate of Loyola University School of Law.
Jamie L. Mosser, state’s attorney, Kane County
Ms. Mosser was elected state’s attorney in Kane County in 2020. She serves on the board for Mutual Ground, Rise from the Ashes, and the P.I.E Project. Ms. Mosser earned her political science degree from Illinois State University and her juris doctor from DePaul University College of law.
The Honorable Robbin J. Stuckert (ret.)
The Honorable Robbin J. Stuckert served 20 years as a judge in Dekalb County, Illinois, where she served as chief judge and presided over felony cases, problem-solving courts, and bond court. She chaired the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Pretrial Practices and the court’s Pretrial Implementation Task Force.
If you are interested in participating in the webinar, please register online. Register now to attend this webinar.
Please direct questions to Alison Shames, APPR co-director, at ashames@cepp.com.