Virtually all county sheriffs and states attorneys in Illinois have serious reservations about the new “Purge Law” and its provisions that end cash bail. Democrats in the General Assembly passed the new law in the final hours on the last day of the lame duck session in January 2021.
The new law mandates that on January 1, 2023, county jails shall release almost all of their inmates currently held on bail who aren’t a specific threat to a specific individual. In most counties, this means about half or more of those currently housed on pre-trial detention will be released at midnight on New Year’s Eve. What could possibly go wrong?
At Guns Save Life, we’re famous for making lemonade out of lemons when it comes to gun control schemes. Now, some of our members have come up with the perfect solution to this new law’s implementation. Think of it as making lemonade out of lemons for our Land of Lincoln sheriffs and state’s attorneys.
Sheriffs: Don’t just cut these folks loose to endanger people in neighborhoods just outside your county jails. Instead, rent a bus and deliver them out front of the residence of the nearest state senator or state representative who voted for this horrific No Cash Bail Act.
Pull up at the curb, unload the buses and wait for the clock to strike midnight. At 12:01, remove the handcuffs. Then have jail staff get back on the buses and drive home, leaving the inmates behind with warm blankets and a cup of hot chocolate.
The little people in Illinois have had to live with the consequences of misguided legislation from Springfield for years, including the “Affordable Bail” law of 2017. This time, let those legislators who voted for this and their families worry about their own safety just like the rest of us do on a daily basis. Make them live with the consequences of those votes.
For those county sheriffs on a budget, we’re pretty sure if they announced their plans and asked residents to chip in $10 or $20 to help pay for a bus rental and fuel, we have no doubt residents would quickly and cheerfully cover the costs.