BY JOHN O’CONNOR – ASSOCIATED PRESS

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois legislators have one more chance to finalize the criminal justice overhaul known as the SAFE-T Act. Major portions take effect Jan. 1 and lawmakers have three more days in their fall session to clarify the massive plan. The main point of contention is the plan to eliminate cash bail. Advocates say poor people have to sit in jail awaiting trial because they can’t make bail but affluent defendants can pay their way to pretrial release. Legislative changes must be approved by three-fifth majorities in both houses to take effect immediately. Negotiations are ongoing, though Deputy Majority Leader Jehan Gordon-Booth hasn’t shared details.

*FILE – Illinois House Deputy Majority Leader Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, explains anti-crime legislation on April 1, 2022 in Springfield, Ill. Illinois legislators have one more chance to clarify and clean up the criminal justice overhaul known as the SAFE-T Act before major portions of the act take effect Jan. 1. Negotiations on changes continue but Gordon-Booth won’t specify what’s being discussed. (AP Photo/John O’Connor, File)