Illinois became the first state to fully eliminate cash bail after years of debate. Under the Safe-T-Act, when a suspect is arrested, a decision about pre-trial release goes to the court. Conditions for release are then set in an initial hearing and the prosecutor can request a defendant remain in jail.

One year after ending cash bail, Illinois sees mixed effects, with some praising the changes and critics raising concerns.

Illinois officially eliminated cash bail one year ago Wednesday. Some say the legislation is working as intended but that there’s still some things that need to change. “I think we’re starting to get our arms better around the issue in terms of how we handle things,