(CHICAGO) Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart is looking at a cashless bond system saying the current system, posting 10-percent, is unfair to those who can’t afford to pay.

Dart’s proposal would have a non-violent defendant released pending trial based on a background investigation by the court’s staff. It would require lawmakers to change the state’s bail statute.

The practice isn’t unheard of.  Washington, D.C. has a no-cash bond system and some states, like Colorado, have considered it.

Dart along with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle have already been pushing for lower bonds and an expanded use of electronic monitoring.

The Cook County Board’s criminal justice committee is expected to discuss the issue Thursday.

The Sun-Times first reported Dart’s proposal, but he joined John Howell and Ray Stevens Tuesday morning to discuss on the morning show. Listen to that segment here.

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