Join 'Drinks and Dialogue' on criminal justice reform Nov. 17

The League of Women Voters of the Palatine Area, a non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting informed and active citizens, is offering an evening of "Drinks and Dialogue" at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, at The Wine Cellar, Century Plaza, 361 W. Northwest Hwy., Palatine. The topic is "Criminal Justice Reform."

The League of Women Voters Palatine Area is offering an informal evening to share 40 recommendations for improvement of the Cook County pre-trial system issued by the Administrative Office of the Illinios Courts (AOIC). The League of Women Voters of Cook County studied the implementation of the recommendations and conducted over 20 interviews of public officials, lawyers, and professors of law and criminal justice, in addition to visiting and observing procedures in the Cook County Jail, Central Bond Court, and four suburban bond courts.

Based on the study by the League of Women Voters of Cook County, eleven recommendations were put forth to ensure that the pre-trial system in Cook County incarcerates as few people as possible for as short a time as possible while ensuring that those released will appear for their trials and pose no threat to the community.

What happens when someone cannot post bail? What are the consequences of being in the jail for even 48 hours? What is the purpose of bail? What are the costs to the community to have so many people in jail? Who should be in jail?

Come and engage in discussion regarding Cook County Jail and the criminal justice system and its impact in our community.

The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government. We welcome new members. Visit www.lwvpalatinearea.org.