SPRINGFIELD - Supreme Court Justices appointed five appellate judges to review the impact of the state’s bail reform, the SAFE-T Act, on appellate courts.
“The need for a comprehensive plan to address this matter with urgency is evident,” the Justices stated in an announcement on Jan. 16.
They set a Jan. 30 deadline for the task force to meet, and a March 1 deadline for a report.
The reform law requires release of suspects awaiting trial but allows exceptions for dangerous persons and flight risks.
Circuit judges have granted exceptions and many defendants have appealed.
Fifth District appellate judges in Mount Vernon have affirmed prosecutors in almost all cases.
The Supreme Court picked Justice Eugene Doherty of the Fourth District in Springfield as chairman of the task force.
Justice Mark Boie will represent the Fifth District.
Justices David Ellis of the First District in Chicago, Margaret Mullen of the Second District in Elgin, and Lance Petersen of the Third District in Ottawa will also serve.
The Supreme Court directed the task force to consult with stakeholders, including attorney general Kwame Raoul, the state’s appellate prosecutor and appellate defender, appellate court clerks and the Illinois Appellate Lawyers Association.