Cash Bail Law Amendment Expected to "Sail" in Senate, Faces Uncertainty in House
Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago), a progressive supporter of the original SAFE-T Act law is sponsoring the amendment to tweak the controversial legislation ending cash bail.
NOTE: This story was originally posted for subscribers only. To receive subscriber-only newsletters and content, click here.
Negotiated changes to the elimination of cash bail on January 1st went before the Senate Democrat caucus Tuesday, and we’re told the legislation is likely to “sail” out of the chamber.
But, it could face a far more contentious future in the House.
The amendment was filed last night by Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago), one of the most progressive members of the Senate and a leading advocate for the original law.
It is Senate Amendment 1 to HB 1095. PDF here.
It sounds as if progressive House Democrats and members of the Black Caucus may be causing a stir behind the scenes over changes to the law before it takes effect January 1.
Sources say there is some concern over Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria), who has led the negotiations over changes to the law being “too close” to law enforcement. Gordon-Booth’s stepson was killed in gun violence in 2014.
Expect Rep. Curtis Tarver (D-Chicago) to be one of the main opponents to any major changes in the legislation. He almost singlehandedly killed a previous, less controversial trailer bill after the law was passed in 2021.
We asked a top House Democratic source yesterday if they had the votes to pass a trailer bill that could be seen as more stringent, our source said “I have no idea.”
It is possible the Senate could vote as early as today, though plans aren’t weren’t immediately clear last night.