Trump’s Executive Order Targets Illinois’ Cashless Bail — Families of Victims Say Relief Is Overdue

Federal Funding at Risk as Crime Victims and Police Sound Alarm Over Bail Reform

By Mike Monseur | August 25, 2025

A Family’s Pain

In Rockford, the Rivera family is still mourning the death of 23-year-old Marcus, who was gunned down outside a convenience store earlier this year. His accused killer had been released weeks earlier under Illinois’ no-cash-bail system, despite facing prior violent charges.

Holding a framed photo of her brother, Marcus’ sister spoke through tears: “We don’t feel safe. Our lives are worth more than a political experiment.”

Stories like hers have fueled growing backlash against Illinois’ 2023 decision to abolish cash bail under the SAFE-T Act. That backlash reached Washington this morning, when President Donald J. Trump signed a sweeping Executive Order cutting federal support for jurisdictions that use cashless bail.

The Executive Order

The directive orders the Attorney General to compile a nationwide list of no-cash-bail jurisdictions and prepare to suspend their access to federal funds. Millions of dollars in criminal justice grants for Illinois — including money for law enforcement training and community safety programs — could soon be at risk.

The White House announcement stated: “Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to protect Americans by ensuring Federal policies and resources are not used to support cashless bail policies across the Nation.”

Trump underscored the move in blunt terms: “If you kill somebody, there’s no bond. Don’t worry about it. Go ahead. Kill somebody else. These people are crazy, I’ll tell you.”

Victims and Law Enforcement Respond

For families who have lost loved ones to repeat offenders, the order represents long-awaited recognition. In Springfield, a mother whose son was murdered by a man released twice under the SAFE-T Act questioned lawmakers’ priorities. “They talk about fairness for criminals. But who’s fighting for fairness for my son, who will never come home?” she said.

Law enforcement officials echoed those concerns. Police unions report rising frustration among officers tasked with re-arresting the same individuals' multiple times in a matter of months.

“Our brave officers' risk their lives to arrest dangerous criminals, only to be forced to arrest the same individuals, sometimes for the same crimes,” a union spokesperson said. “It’s a waste of resources and a betrayal of victims.”

Crime Data Fuels Debate

The administration cited crime trends to justify the order. A California study found “163% more crime and 200% more violent crime” after cashless bail was introduced. Chicago police officials, while not releasing official data, confirm they are seeing repeat arrests climb under Illinois’ system.

Supporters of the SAFE-T Act argue that the law was designed to end an unfair system where low-income defendants remained in jail while wealthy defendants could buy their freedom. Critics counter that violent criminals are being released back onto the streets, creating new victims and undermining public trust in the justice system.

The Road Ahead

The executive order is expected to trigger legal challenges. Civil rights groups argue that withholding federal funds from states over bail policies violates the Tenth Amendment. But Trump administration officials maintain that federal dollars carry federal standards. “When federal dollars are used, federal standards apply,” one senior official said.

Illinois lawmakers now face growing pressure. With crime concerns dominating public opinion, the SAFE-T Act is likely to remain a central issue heading into the 2026 midterm elections.

The Bottom Line

Trump’s executive order has brought Illinois’ no-cash-bail system under intense national scrutiny. For victims’ families and police officers, the move represents long-awaited support from Washington. For lawmakers and reform advocates, it signals the possibility of lost funding, legal battles, and political fallout.

As Marcus Rivera’s sister put it simply: “We just want to be safe again.”