Burge torture hearings highlight need for transparency and accountability
Burge torture hearings highlight need for transparency and accountability
The police commander’s conduct has left lasting scars on victims and cost taxpayers millions.
Call waiting: Chicago Police Department refusing to release cellphone-tracking info
Call waiting: Chicago Police Department refusing to release cellphone-tracking info
The Chicago Police Department is refusing to disclose information regarding its use of covert cellphone-tracking devices, which can intercept the personal information of innocent bystanders.
Chicagoans 60 times more likely than New Yorkers to be stopped by police
Chicagoans 60 times more likely than New Yorkers to be stopped by police
Chicago residents are stopped four times as often as New York City residents were at the height of that city’s controversial stop-and-frisk policy.
Feds approve powdered alcohol, Chicago moves to ban it
Feds approve powdered alcohol, Chicago moves to ban it
Chicago’s political priority list shouldn’t include addressing a new way to drink.
10 things Illinoisans should know about their state’s criminal-justice system
10 things Illinoisans should know about their state’s criminal-justice system
Rife with problems, it’s ripe for change.
Modernizing marijuana law in Illinois
Modernizing marijuana law in Illinois
Limited criminal-justice resources need to be oriented first and foremost toward addressing crimes with victims, not personal conduct.
Chicago Police Department’s ‘black site’ raises need for greater police transparency
Chicago Police Department’s ‘black site’ raises need for greater police transparency
Lawmakers must ensure law-enforcement officers aren’t trampling the civil rights of Chicagoans.
Rauner’s proposed prison-funding increase must be accompanied by incarceration reform
Rauner’s proposed prison-funding increase must be accompanied by incarceration reform
To get spending under control, Illinois must incarcerate fewer people
Video of alleged sleeping cop highlights problems with Illinois’ new anti-recording law
Video of alleged sleeping cop highlights problems with Illinois’ new anti-recording law
The Illinois Supreme Court has made clear that the police don’t have a reasonable expectation of privacy when they’re on duty in public.
Illinois General Assembly revives recording ban
Illinois General Assembly revives recording ban
The Illinois General Assembly just passed a bill that would prevent citizens from recording the police.
70-mph speed limit fast-tracked after veto override
70-mph speed limit fast-tracked after veto override
Contrary to Quinn, Illinois drivers are likely to get 70-mph speed limits on tollways statewide as early as Dec. 2.
Criminal-justice accountability depends on transparency
Criminal-justice accountability depends on transparency
Chicago needs police transparency now more than ever.
Judge OKs Peoria SWAT raid over parody Twitter account
Judge OKs Peoria SWAT raid over parody Twitter account
If someone made fun of you on Twitter, how would you respond? If you’re Peoria, Illinois, Mayor Jim Ardis, you just pressure the police to raid the prankster’s home; and apparently the courts will back you up. Back in March, Jon Daniel of Peoria created the Twitter account “@peoriamayor” from which he sent out a...
Body cameras for police a win for citizens, officers and taxpayers
Body cameras for police a win for citizens, officers and taxpayers
What’s a low-cost way to improve police accountability in Illinois while saving taxpayer dollars? Some say body cameras for police officers. After the events in Ferguson, MO, several editorials have encouraged Illinois police officers to wear body cameras as a way to deter misconduct, and some departments have already signed on to the idea. But...