Man Who Drowned In Fox Lake Identified As Chicago Activist

FOX LAKE, IL — A Chicago activist known for his work in ending cash bail in Illinois has been identified as the man who drowned last Friday after his innertube flipped on Fox Lake.

Malik Alim's body was found Sunday morning in Fox Lake, according to the Lake County Coroner's Office. Authorities said he was tubing with his two children when the flotation device flipped, sending all three into the water. While the two children were able to grab onto the boat, the 28-year-old went underwater.

Sonar technicians and rescue crews were not able to find the man, who authorities said was not wearing a life jacket, until Sunday.

A post from the Chicago Community Bond Fund said Alim was a "champion for the movement to end money bond in Illinois." According to the organization, Alim played an important role in the passage of the Pretrial Fairness Act, which was passed in January 2021.

The Chicago Torture and Justice Center posted on Facebook about Alim's dead that "our lives have been forever changed by the immense privilege of getting to know this incredible human."