Incarceration perpetuates poverty cycle
Incarceration perpetuates poverty cycle
The Illinois Department of Corrections reports that 62 percent of inmates are parents.
6 reforms to address Illinois’ broken criminal-justice system
6 reforms to address Illinois’ broken criminal-justice system
Illinois’ prison system is failing taxpayers and offenders alike. Here are six reforms to start fixing the problem.
Crowded house: Illinois’ costly prison problem
Crowded house: Illinois’ costly prison problem
Illinois spends $1.4 billion a year on overcrowded state prisons. Can the state get more for less?
Prison population growth driving Illinois’ corrections budget higher
Prison population growth driving Illinois’ corrections budget higher
Illinois’ prison budget grew $110 million over the last five years.
What Illinois can learn from South Dakota’s innovative drunk-driving punishment
What Illinois can learn from South Dakota’s innovative drunk-driving punishment
South Dakota’s sobriety program is a good model to combat drunk driving; Illinois should adopt it.
High black imprisonment risk tied to educational opportunity
High black imprisonment risk tied to educational opportunity
Fixing criminal-justice disparities means improving education as well.
4 important takeaways from Rauner commission’s initial report on criminal justice
4 important takeaways from Rauner commission’s initial report on criminal justice
The initial overview of plans to safely reduce Illinois’ prison population by 25 percent contains important lessons for policymakers.
Leaving children alone can come with lifelong consequences for Illinois families
Leaving children alone can come with lifelong consequences for Illinois families
One story shows how poorly written laws can cost responsible parents their livelihoods.
Speeding ticket can cost you more than $900 in Illinois
Speeding ticket can cost you more than $900 in Illinois
True ticket costs are hard to stomach in many Illinois cities.
Yes, Illinois still bans fireworks
Yes, Illinois still bans fireworks
The Land of Lincoln is one of only seven states to impose harsh restrictions on the sale and possession of fireworks.
3 lessons on criminal-justice reform from the author of ‘Orange is the New Black’
3 lessons on criminal-justice reform from the author of ‘Orange is the New Black’
Piper Kerman draws on personal experience to show how public safety hinges on criminal-justice reform.
How effective record-sealing policy can help ex-offenders find employment and stay away from crime
How effective record-sealing policy can help ex-offenders find employment and stay away from crime
Careful sealing policies can help ex-offenders take control of their lives while protecting public safety.
Closing youth correctional facilities sets stage for necessary reform in Illinois
Closing youth correctional facilities sets stage for necessary reform in Illinois
The closure of certain juvenile-justice facilities in Illinois could be a positive development for public safety, especially if some of the savings are used to improve community-based services.
Illinois spends $750K a year on closed prison, and some politicians want to spend millions reopening it
Illinois spends $750K a year on closed prison, and some politicians want to spend millions reopening it
Effective reform will not include opening old prisons or throwing taxpayer dollars toward building new ones.