Criminal Justice

Jason Spyres

“I served 15 years in prison, and now owe $268,000 in fines because I sold pot when I was 19 and 20. “I got out of prison and all of my counselors told me, ‘Jason, you get out there and you make the life you told me you were going to make. We’re so proud....

General Assembly passes bill expanding medical marijuana access as opioid alternative

Lawmakers in Springfield are seeking to offer patients with debilitating conditions the option to replace opioids with medical marijuana.

By Eddie Damstra

Illinois lawmakers pass bill raising legal age of tobacco, e-cigarette purchases to 21

Pending the governor’s signature, the bill would expand Chicago’s smoking age restriction statewide.

By Vincent Caruso

Leave your 13-year-old home alone? Police can take her into custody under Illinois law

Illinois’ law mandating a minimum age for leaving children home alone is the strictest of its kind in the nation.

By Jeffrey Schwab

Bill to expunge marijuana convictions passes House committee

House Bill 2367 would allow those convicted of marijuana possession before Illinois decriminalized marijuana to petition for expungement of their guilty plea or criminal conviction.

By Brendan Bakala

Just reward: A 2017 comeback story for the ages

State lawmakers would be wise to re-examine the barriers to second chances and first careers throughout the state.

By Austin Berg

The gift of a second chance

Illinois has started to embrace second chances for people who have been through the criminal justice system.

By Amy Korte

Last day for refunds on Chicago red-light and speed camera tickets

Motorists have only hours left to seek a refund from the city of Chicago.

By Brendan Bakala

Record sealing, expungement have the power to reduce crime, benefit Illinois’ economy

In 2017 the Illinois General Assembly passed two bills that can improve employment outcomes for ex-offenders, potentially reducing crime and saving millions of dollars.

By Orphe Divounguy, Joe Tabor

Bad record keeping allows police misconduct to go unpunished

ProPublica Illinois and the Chicago Tribune’s groundbreaking report shows how disciplinary actions for Chicago police officers fall through the cracks.

By Brendan Bakala

Chicago Ald. Ed Burke wants to fine pedestrians up to $500 for ‘distracted walking’

The proposal would fine pedestrians $90 for checking their phone at city intersections and $500 for the offense of being distracted.

By Vincent Caruso

Founder of pharmaceutical company indicted for bribing doctors to prescribe opioids

As federal and state officials sound the alarm about opioid abuse, Illinois lawmakers should take steps to root it out of the workers’ compensation system.

By Amy Korte

Jury awards record $44.7M in Chicago police misconduct case

This latest amount broke the previous city payout record of $25 million for a wrongful conviction suit in 2012.

By Brendan Bakala

Illinois House approves warrantless wiretapping bill

A measure passed by the Illinois House of Representatives would extend the law that permits state’s attorneys to authorize wiretaps without a court-issued warrant.

By Amy Korte