![Woman charged with aggravated battery against 4 Chicago cops Sunday is released on Monday — the first day cash bail officially eliminated across Illinois](https://www.theblaze.com/media-library/woman-charged-with-aggravated-battery-against-4-chicago-cops-sunday-is-released-on-monday-the-first-day-cash-bail-officially-e.jpg?id=42552777&width=1245&height=700&quality=85&coordinates=0%2C0%2C0%2C62)
Image source: Chicago police
A woman who was charged with aggravated battery against four Chicago police officers Sunday was released Monday — the first day cash bail was officially eliminated across Illinois.
Esmeralda Aguilar, 24, of Cicero was charged with four counts of aggravated battery against a peace officer following an incident that took place at 2:38 a.m. Sunday in the 200 block of North Wabash Avenue, police said.
But she was released Monday, the same day the Pretrial Fairness Act — part of the controversial SAFE-T Act — went into effect, Fox News said.
More from Fox News:
Under the new law, a judge can hold someone in jail if they are believed to pose a risk to the community. If they don't pose a danger or flight risk, they are released without having to post cash bail.
Supporters of the law contend cash bail punishes low-income defendants simply for being too poor to get out of jail. Critics said the new law could result in the release of dangerous criminals back onto the streets as cities like Chicago continue to experience violent crime.
"I can assure you that the Cook County State's Attorney office stands ready to implement the Pre-Trial Fairness Act," Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx posted to social media Monday, according to Fox News. "This effort to detain those who pose a real threat to our public rather than detain those who are simply poor is the right thing to do."
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle called the end of cash bail a "milestone on the path toward economic and racial justice in Cook County and Illinois," Fox News added.
But the Republican leader of the Illinois Senate isn't so pleased.
"Reports that on the very first day of no cash bail, a violent offender arrested for attacking four Chicago Police officers, sending two of them to the hospital, was immediately released because the Cook County State's Attorney's Office didn't even bother to file a motion to seek detaining the accused are problematic," state Sen. John Curran of Downers Grove said in a statement, according to WFLD-TV.
Curran added that this outcome is part of why police recruitment is at an all-time low, the station said.
"This highlights the misplaced priorities of Illinois' criminal justice system when the prosecutor prioritizes the freedom of a violent offender over the safety of those police officers dedicated to protecting and serving our communities. Is there any wonder why police recruitment is at an all-time low in this state?" he said, according to the station.
GOP state Sen. Terri Bryant said funds lost due to the elimination of cash bail will put additional strains on courtroom resources, which also will hurt crime victims, WLFD said.
But Democrat state Sen. Robert Peters, one of the SAFE-T Act sponsors, told the station that "it should not matter what’s in your wallet. What should matter is how you’re able to go home and live your life."
Aguilar's next court date is set for Sept. 25 in Skokie, WFLD said.
Woman who allegedly attacked Chicago cops released on no cash bailyoutu.be
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