Welcome to the Reader‘s morning briefing for Tuesday, June 13, 2017.
Rauner signs bill granting bail relief for nonviolent offenders
Governor Bruce Rauner signed a bill that will grant bail relief for nonviolent offenders in Illinois jails. The legislation, which is effective immediately, should reduce jail overcrowding and is “an important step in improving our state’s criminal justice system,” according to Rauner. Nonviolent offenders will have “bail reviewed quickly and perhaps lowered if they’re indigent” and while jailed will earn credit toward paying any eventual fines if they are convicted, according to NBC Chicago. “Our system must work equally for all our residents, in every community, regardless of their income,” said Rauner. “We should be focused on putting people in jobs not jail.” [NBC Chicago]
