North Egypt News

Franklin County Sheriff Kyle Bacon is warning local residents of anticipated increased crime rates in the wake of the Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling allowing no cash bail for criminal offenders.

That means those charged with sometimes even the most serious crimes, such as murder and crime, may be allowed out without bail.

"Folks who live here are extremely concerned," Bacon told Fox News. "It's an experiment on the backs of victims of crime. I have serious concerns and so do the people that live here.”

Bacon has been joined by other sheriffs in southern Illinois who are preparing for an increase in crime and victimization following the Supreme Court decision to end cash bail, making Illinois the first state to fully abolish it. Law enforcement has expressed concerns over the potential consequences of the change.

"We were preparing for this, but then we just kind of hit the pause button," Bacon said. "And now the scramble is back on for law enforcement, prosecutors."

Bacon also expressed that "it is discouraging" and the result of the ruling won't be known until the law takes effect, which is set to happen on Sept. 18.  

In the historic decision, on July 18, the Illinois Supreme Court overruled a lower court judge noting the provision of the SAFE-T Act, which ends cash bail, as constitutional. The 5-to-2 vote came after a six-month delay caused by legal challenges against the provision. Critics argued that the law restricts judges' discretion in detaining individuals. Courts across the state will have a two-month preparation period before the new bail rules take effect.

Meanwhile, in the wake of lower court rulings against the SAFE-T Act and the state’s expansive gun ban, Democrats passed legislation that restricts the ability to challenge unconstitutional laws, limiting challenges to Democrat-controlled courts in Chicago and Springfield and potentially hindering conservative opposition. The move is seen as an attempt to control which cases reach appeals courts and consolidate power in the hands of the Democratic majority, leading to concerns about eroding checks and balances in Illinois, Chicago City Wire reported.