In a victory for criminal justice reform, the Illinois Supreme Court has ruled in favor of legislation abolishing the state’s cash bail system. The 5-2 ruling overturned a decision by a lower court from last December deeming the Pretrial Fairness Act “unconstitutional.” Illinois judges will no longer require people charged with a crime to post bail in order to be released from jail as they await trial, unless they’re considered a threat to the public or likely to flee. The policy is expected to go into effect in September. In a statement, the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice said, “Black people have been disproportionately impacted by wealth-based jailing. Giving people the opportunity to stay in their communities while awaiting trial will enable them to keep their jobs, housing, and custody of their children, making us all safer.”