Pour one out for all the idiots that thought putting more people in cages would make us safer as a society.
The Illinois Supreme Court has upheld a state law ending cash bail across the state, giving courts two more months before they must implement the change. In a 5-2 ruling yesterday morning, the state's highest court overturned a ruling by a Kankakee County judge that claimed that the law ending cash bail was unconstitutional. Now the end to cash bail will go into effect across the entire state on Sept. 18.
Under the new law, judges across Illinois will not require those charged with a crime to post bail in order to leave jail while they await trial. Seems like a pretty reasonable legal approach; why would it make sense to detain someone just because they can’t afford bail? (Because this country criminalizes being poor more than anything else, that’s why) Those who are considered to be a threat to the public or a flight risk will still be required to stay in jail until trial.
Of course the haters are furious, and they’ve made their feelings heard. The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police, made up of what I can only assume are a collection of divorced men and braindead fascists, opposed the law eliminating cash bail, calling the ruling a "slap in the face to those who enforce our laws and the people those laws are supposed to protect." If that’s the case, then slap away my friends.
Side Items
Global Heat: The recent heat wave wreaking havoc in southern Europe is expected to continue for several days. The UN weather agency said that temperatures in Europe, amplified by climate change, could break the record of 119.8°F set in Sicily two years ago. Meanwhile, Phoenix, AZ just hit its 19th straight day at or above 110°F (new high score!!) This summer will simultaneously be the hottest summer on record and the coldest summer for the rest of our lives, as the climate continues to heat up and humanity continues to suffer for the sins and greed of a wealthy few
North Korean Tourist: An American soldier fresh out of a two-month jail bid decided enough was enough and ran across the border into North Korea. Private 2nd Class Travis King was among a group of tourists, who visited the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea this week. King, 23, was a cavalry scout with the 1st Armored Division who had just served almost two months in a South Korean prison for assault. He was released on July 10 and was supposed to travel home on Monday to Fort Bliss, TX, where he would’ve faced additional military discipline and discharge from the service. Instead he holds the unique and distinct honor of being the first American detained in North Korea in nearly five years. Congrats on the accomplishment you smooth-brained clown
Egyptian Injustice: An Egyptian graduate student and human rights advocate who was accused of spreading “fake news” was sentenced to three years in prison in Egypt yesterday, a harsh conclusion to a case that has inspired an outpouring of support both in Italy, where he studied, and in Egypt. Patrick Zaki was convicted of disseminating fake news, a frequent charge corrupt prosecutors bring against Egyptians who speak up about political matters, for a 2019 article he wrote online describing his experiences as a member of Egypt’s Coptic Christian minority. Three years in prison for writing an article, what a world