Pretrial Implementation Task Force to Host Final Regional Education Seminar in Champaign Dec. 14

The Illinois Supreme Court Pretrial Implementation Task Force (Task Force) will host its final in-person regional education seminar in Champaign on December 14th at the I Hotel & Conference Center to overview pretrial justice and the implementation of the Pretrial Fairness Act (PFA), which is scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2023.  

The PFA, legislation passed as part of Public Act 101-652, abolishes the use of cash bail in pretrial release decisions as of Jan. 1 and establishes new processes for pretrial release and detention decisions.  

Registration is available here.

The education seminars are scheduled to go from 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. The remaining seminar dates and locations are: 

• November 21 – Malcolm X College, Conference Hall, 1900 W. Jackson Blvd, Chicago
• December 1 – University of Illinois at Springfield, Student Union, 2251 Richard Wright Dr., Springfield  
• December 13 – John A. Logan Community College, 700 Logan College Road, Carterville 
• December 14 - I Hotel & Conference Center, 1900 South First Street, Champaign, Illinois 

Attendees will gather for plenary morning and afternoon presentations with Q&A and scenario discussions related to pretrial practices and the PFA.  

All are welcome to attend the educational seminar.  We anticipate participation from justice system partners, community organizations and community members, including: Judges, Law Enforcement, State’s Attorneys, Public Defenders, Pretrial Officers (OSPS and County), Probation Directors and Officers, Circuit Court Clerks, Deputy Clerks, Trial Court Administrators, Legislators, County Board Members and Administrators, Civic, Religious, Community Based Organizations, Behavioral Health Advocates, Domestic Violence Advocates, Partner Abuse Intervention Program Advocates, and CMS Vendors. Interested members of the public are also invited to attend.  

Task Force resources, including flowcharts and considerations of the PFA, as well as video recordings of previous virtual Town Halls, a schedule of upcoming Town Halls, and a list of Task Force members and subcommittees, can be found here. Monthly Town Halls also continue to be held and have covered topics such as an introduction to the PFA, release by citation, release from custody, pretrial assessment tools, and first appearance hearings.