Illinois could see $300 million in savings through criminal-justice transformation
Illinois could see $300 million in savings through criminal-justice transformation
The governor has proposed criminal-justice reforms to save Illinois taxpayers $300 million over the next four years while improving outcomes for offenders and their communities.
By Bryant Jackson-Green
Fred Long
Fred Long
“I grew up in Roseland. “We lived in a two-flat with a basement and one bathroom: me and 25 other family members. Drug problems, gang violence, all of that was the reality. “Vocational school was vital for me and I thank God I got a job. It’s a cliché but that totally changed my life....
Illinois politician proposes bill to criminalize filming fights
Illinois politician proposes bill to criminalize filming fights
A proposal to criminalize recording and posting fights would violate the First Amendment rights of Illinois residents
By Bryant Jackson-Green, Tim Lazar
Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice will close Kewanee facility
Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice will close Kewanee facility
Closing the Illinois Youth Center in Kewanee, with its $84,000 per-youth annual operating cost, will help save money and redirect resources toward more effective treatment programs for juvenile offenders.
By Bryant Jackson-Green
Illinois should issue IDs to ex-offenders upon release from prison
Illinois should issue IDs to ex-offenders upon release from prison
Issuing state IDs to ex-offenders upon release from prison is a simple reform that can help them succeed in finding work and a place to live.
By Bryant Jackson-Green
Bipartisan majority of Illinois voters support criminal-justice reform, study shows
Bipartisan majority of Illinois voters support criminal-justice reform, study shows
New polling shows large majorities of Illinois Republican and Democratic voters think the state’s criminal-justice system needs a major overhaul.
By Bryant Jackson-Green
Susan Trieschmann
Susan Trieschmann
“… After I sold my catering business I was going to meetings with young offenders here in Evanston. At every single meeting I heard kids say they wouldn’t have done what they did if they had a job. And I was sick of hearing that story over and over again without having anywhere to send...
Reform commission targets occupational licensing
Reform commission targets occupational licensing
Gov. Bruce Rauner’s criminal-justice reform commission urges removing overbroad occupational licensing restrictions that bar ex-offenders from pursuing work in over 118 professions.
By Bryant Jackson-Green
Chicago cops retire to dodge punishment, collect 6-figure pensions
Chicago cops retire to dodge punishment, collect 6-figure pensions
Since Chicago officials received a city watchdog investigation recommending six officers be disciplined for their roles surrounding the killing of David Koschman by a nephew of former Mayor Richard M. Daley, three have retired.
By Austin Berg
Rauner’s criminal-justice reform commission issues first recommendations
Rauner’s criminal-justice reform commission issues first recommendations
The commission’s 14 policy suggestions aim to safely reduce Illinois’ prison population by 25 percent by 2025.
By Bryant Jackson-Green
Report: Dashcam equipment in Chicago police vehicles ‘intentionally’ destroyed
Report: Dashcam equipment in Chicago police vehicles ‘intentionally’ destroyed
80% of Chicago dashcam audio systems are malfunctioning due "to operator error or in some cases intentional destruction."
By Bryant Jackson-Green
Rauner reaffirms commitment to criminal-justice reform
Rauner reaffirms commitment to criminal-justice reform
Gov. Bruce Rauner highlights the continued need for criminal-justice reform to save taxpayer dollars and restore opportunity. To get there, Illinois must embrace reforms that enable ex-offenders to provide for themselves and their families once they’ve served their sentences.
By Bryant Jackson-Green
Make body cameras mandatory to improve police accountability
Make body cameras mandatory to improve police accountability
Ninety-two percent of Americans support a body camera requirement for police officers; to enhance transparency and accountability, Chicago should require its police to use body cameras.
By Bryant Jackson-Green
Barriers to work and employment perpetuate dangerous cycle for ex-offenders and their families
Barriers to work and employment perpetuate dangerous cycle for ex-offenders and their families
Nearly 70,000 Illinois children have incarcerated parents who will need to be able to support their families after serving their sentences.
By Bryant Jackson-Green