Top officials say they're encouraged by the falling numbers of people held in the Cook County Jail but say far too many people remain locked up for months at a time awaiting trial on non-violent offenses.
Sheriff Tom Dart says people who cannot make bail are languishing in jail because they cannot scrape up the money to post bond for minor offenses. He also says the jail is still too crowded with mentally ill inmates who are unable to get treatment.
Board President Toni Preckwinkle calls it "disgraceful" that a disproportionate number of people charged with minor non-violent offenses are blacks and Hispanics.
State's Attorney Anita Alvarez says she hopes her decision to stop prosecuting most misdemeanor marijuana possession cases will reduce the jail population further.
