SPRINGFIELD (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - The Illinois Supreme Court will hear arguments this morning over whether the portion of the SAFE-T Act that ends cash bail is constitutional.
Mostly Republican state's attorneys and sheriffs from 64 counties sued to block the end of monetary bail, arguing it's in the state constitution and removing it requires an amendment.
Governor J.B. Pritzker said he's confident the SAFE-T Act as well as another of his high-priority laws, the ban on certain high-powered guns, will survive the challenge.
“I don’t expect that they will overturn it. There’s no rationale that makes any sense to overturn it,” Pritzker said.
He told reporters in Chicago at a bill signing for paid leave Monday that lawsuits like these are "the last refuge of those who can't win at the ballot box.”
Another argument the justices are expected to hear is if the legislature telling the judiciary they cannot require monetary bail is a violation of separation of powers.
Democrats grew their majority on court to 5-2 after the Nov. elections, seeing wins by Elizabeth Rochford and Mary Kay O'Brien.
The court has not announced a timeline for ruling on the case.
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