The Revolving Fund
When it was in operation, the Chicago Community Bond Fund (CCBF) operated a revolving fund that paid bond for people charged with crimes in Cook County. CCBF supported individuals whose communities who had been impacted by structural violence and whose bonds were completely out of proportion with their ability to pay. We 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.
We share this 2024 Post-Release Support Guide in order to share resources for food, shelter, mutual aid, employment and education, and legal aid. Click the image below (where it says DOWNLOAD PDF) or visit bit.ly/ccbfguide to access the information.
Thank you for being a part of our beautiful community over the years.
Post-Release Support Guide: Food, Shelter, Public Assistance, Education & Employment, Immigration & Legal Aid, Mutual Aid
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.
Request Help
Due to the end of money bond in Illinois, CCBF has closed the informational hotline and our current programs in order to sunset our organization. We suggest you follow-up with your attorney for any questions you may have about your case. It has been an honor having you in our community, and we send you care and support in this time.
