The holidays can be a wonderful time of the year. They are a time for families to come together, celebrate, and reflect on what they are grateful for. As we gather with our loved ones this season, it is important to remember those who are not able to have that experience.

Today, more than 2,000 people are incarcerated in Cook County Jail—not because they’ve been convicted of a crime, but simply because they can’t afford to pay a money bond. These are our friends, family members, and neighbors, and they should be home with us during this important time of the year.

This holiday season, we are taking a moment to think about those who cannot be with their families and recommitting to ending Cook County’s wealth-based incarceration crisis so that next year, more families can spend the holidays together.

From all of us at the Chicago Community Bond Fund, we wish you the happiest of holidays and a happy and healthy New Year! We look forward to fighting with you next year for an Illinois where no one is locked up pretrial simply because they can’t afford to pay a money bond.