3 important criminal-justice reforms from 2015
3 important criminal-justice reforms from 2015
In 2015, Gov. Bruce Rauner signed into law bills restricting the transfer of juvenile offenders to adult court, establishing rules for the use of body cameras by police, and creating an expedited process in Cook County to resolve cases involving certain low-level offenses.
By Bryant Jackson-Green
Re-entry reform must be a policy priority in 2016
Re-entry reform must be a policy priority in 2016
Criminal-justice reform can only be successful if policymakers work to remove barriers to employment and work.
By Bryant Jackson-Green
Chicago police unions are fighting to destroy decades of complaint records
Chicago police unions are fighting to destroy decades of complaint records
Tens of thousands of Chicago police misconduct files could be purged due to lawsuits filed by police unions.
By Austin Berg
Illinois jails incarcerate many people who don’t need to be there in the first place
Illinois jails incarcerate many people who don’t need to be there in the first place
Illinois jails book over 2.6 times the number of people they did in 1981, costing taxpayers money and keeping many people who have not yet been convicted of crimes behind bars.
By Bryant Jackson-Green
State Rep. Cassidy reintroduces marijuana decriminalization bill
State Rep. Cassidy reintroduces marijuana decriminalization bill
Twenty states and the District of Columbia have removed the threat of jail time for simple marijuana possession.
By Mark Fitton
Illinois Attorney General asks for federal probe of Chicago Police Department
Illinois Attorney General asks for federal probe of Chicago Police Department
Madigan’s letter to the Justice Department came on the same day Chicago’s police superintendent, Garry McCarthy, resigned at the request of Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
By Mark Fitton
Law enforcement now seizes more property from citizens than burglars
Law enforcement now seizes more property from citizens than burglars
U.S. law enforcement took in more than $5 billion from the American public in 2014 through asset forfeiture, compared to the $3.5 billion lost nationally to burglary.
By Bryant Jackson-Green
Adult Redeploy has saved Illinois $64 million
Adult Redeploy has saved Illinois $64 million
Illinois can save thousands per inmate by expanding cost-effective alternatives to prison for nonviolent offenders.
By Bryant Jackson-Green
Illinois bidding out 20,000 cameras for police
Illinois bidding out 20,000 cameras for police
Illinois is taking bids for a supplier to equip 1,000 police officers and another 1,000 patrol cars with mobile cameras.
By illinoispolicy
Veterans courts: How Illinois can help its incarcerated veterans
Veterans courts: How Illinois can help its incarcerated veterans
Veterans courts provide Illinois a more effective way to address offenders who have served in the military, allowing the state to rely less on incarceration
By Bryant Jackson-Green
Fixing Illinois’ criminal-justice system means embracing sentencing reform, removing barriers to work
Fixing Illinois’ criminal-justice system means embracing sentencing reform, removing barriers to work
Alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders
By Bryant Jackson-Green
Michigan curtails civil asset forfeiture
Michigan curtails civil asset forfeiture
Under civil asset forfeiture laws in Illinois and across the country, law enforcement can seize property without proving it was involved in a crime. Illinois should follow Michigan’s lead and reform these unjust laws.
By Bryant Jackson-Green
A model for Illinois: 4 criminal-justice reforms from U.S. public-safety leaders
A model for Illinois: 4 criminal-justice reforms from U.S. public-safety leaders
Police chiefs and prosecutors increasingly support policies to reduce unnecessary incarceration.
By Bryant Jackson-Green
The high cost of recidivism
The high cost of recidivism
Repeat offenses cost Illinois taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars each year; removing obstacles to work would help combat this problem.
By Bryant Jackson-Green