Frequently asked questions

Answered by a team member at Chicago Community Bond Fund

• What is your mission?

  The Chicago Community Bond Fund (CCBF) pays bond for people charged with crimes in Cook County, Illinois. Through a revolving fund, CCBF supports individuals whose communities cannot afford to pay the bonds themselves and who have been impacted by structural violence. Inability to pay bond results in higher rates of conviction, longer sentences, loss of housing and jobs, separation of families, and lost custody of children. By paying bond, CCBF restores the presumption of innocence before trial and enables recipients to remain free while fighting their cases. CCBF also engages in public education about the role of bond in the criminal legal system and advocates for the abolition of money bond. CCBF is committed to long-term relationship building and organizing with people most directly impacted by criminalization and policing.

• How are donations used?

  CCBF will focus on legal advocacy, post-release support, and additional community engagement and education in 2023 to support people we have bonded out. We await the full implementation of the Pretrial Fairness Act, which will end money bond in Illinois.