The fight to end cash bail in IllinoisThe U.S. is one of only two countries in the world that primarily relies on cash bail to determine if defendants will be held in custody prior to trial (the other is the Philippines). The Coalition to End Money Bond was formed in 2016 with the aim of abolishing cash bail in the state. Cash bail was finally abolished in Illinois in September 2023. Racist attacks on immigrants and bail reformThe Trump administration’s recent attacks against the abolition of cash bail in Illinois began with the racist demonization of immigrants. Reactionary politicians in Illinois immediately began using the incident to condemn the SAFE-T Act and the end of cash bail.