Chicago businessman offers to pay bail of those who can't afford it
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CHICAGO (AP) - A Chicago businessman says he plans to bail out Cook County Jail inmates who are incarcerated for non-violent misdemeanors.
Willie Wilson, who ran for Chicago mayor last year, told WBBM-AM he wants to give those he intends to help a second chance. He says if they are sitting in jail they don't have a chance to get a good education to start their lives over.
In the beginning, Wilson says he plans to invest $15,000 to bail out 15-to-20 inmates with bonds set at $1,000 or less. He also plans to give each of them $200 in cash once they're out.
Wilson says he is working with the Cook County Sheriff's Office to identify the inmates who might best benefit from his program.