The Revolving Fund
The Chicago Community Bond Fund (CCBF) operates a revolving fund that pays bond for people charged with crimes in Cook County. CCBF supports individuals whose communities who have been impacted by structural violence and whose bonds are completely out of proportion with their ability to pay. We are committed to building long-term relationships and organizing with people most directly impacted by criminalization and policing: people of color, especially Black people, and the poor. We believe that access to money should not determine freedom, that pretrial incarceration is fundamentally unjust, and that Chicagoans can take action now to help alleviate some of the harm caused by government policies while simultaneously working for systemic change.
How The Chicago Community Bond Fund Works
Police make an arrest. Some people charged with misdemeanors and all people charged with felonies go to bond court.
Bond decisions are made in mere minutes. This determines whether someone is released or detained while their case is pending.
People who can pay bond are released. People who cannot pay bond are incarcerated at Cook County Jail – often for months or even years.
Chicago Community Bond Fund helps family members and friends pay bond when they can’t afford it themselves.
After their bond is paid, the person is released from jail. People free on bond have better case outcomes than people are locked up.
At the conclusion of each case, the bond money is returned to CCBF’s revolving fund and can be used to free more from Cook County Jail.
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CCBF has closed the informational hotline, for both the voicemail and the online form request at this time. Despite the current closure of the informational hotline, we are continuing to work on existing requests and inquiries. We apologize for the inconvenience and uncertainty this may cause. We suggest you follow-up with your attorney for any questions you may have about your case.
Alongside you, CCBF continues to wait for full implementation of the PFA and the elimination of cash bail. We will share updates as we learn more. Feel free to reach out to us if you have any other inquiries that are not regarding bond assistance.
1-844-END-BOND
(1-844-363-2663)
