Criminal Justice

Illinois lawmakers pass marijuana legalization

A bill that would legalize recreational marijuana in Illinois is en route to the highest office in the state.

Illinois Senate unanimously votes to help wrongfully accused clear their name

Illinois state senators voted 53-0 to extend a pilot program that would waive the fee to expunge or seal records for those wrongfully arrested or charged with a crime in Cook County.

Illinoisans sentenced to life as ex-cons, even after offenses are no longer crimes

Illinois lawmakers’ approach to some minor criminal offenses has evolved, but not their treatment of the related criminal records that can haunt someone for life. A pair of bills could change that.

By Vincent Caruso

Restoring Justice Act would give less time to Illinoisans when their offense becomes less of a crime

As Illinois works to decriminalize minor offenses, the Restoring Justice Act would adjust sentences for past offenders.

By Vincent Caruso

Pilot program for medical marijuana as alternative to opioids goes into effect

The Opioid Alternative Pilot Program launched Jan. 31, giving more Illinoisans the option to treat pain with medical marijuana in place of opioids.

Harry Jackson

“At 20 years old, you don’t think, ‘We found some pot. This could affect the rest of my life.’ “We were riding dirt bikes out in the woods. And we stopped to take a rest, and went ‘what is that?’ And they were these tall little hemp plants. “They were useless. I had them months...

Lingering in the left lane? Illinois State Police may give you a $120 ticket

Illinois State Police announced plans to aggressively crack down on misuse of the left lane on interstate highways, deploying “covert vehicles” to boost enforcement.

By Vincent Caruso

Home alone: Unattended 13-year-old? Police can arrest the parents in Illinois

Illinois’ law mandating a minimum age for leaving children home alone is the most restrictive in the nation. That should change.

By Vincent Caruso, Jeffrey Schwab

Marijuana convictions soon might come off Illinois criminal records

Illinoisans convicted of possession of cannabis prior to the state’s 2016 decriminalization law could see those crimes expunged under a bill passed by the Illinois House.

By Vincent Caruso

Illinois school district drops controversial eavesdropping case against former student

Prosecution lawyers for an Illinois school district have decided not to move forward with their case against Paul Boron, who was charged with felony eavesdropping at age 13 for recording audio of a meeting with his middle school principal.

By Austin Berg

These Illinois Halloween laws might scare you

Scraping through a few hundred municipal codes in Illinois didn’t turn up any trick-or-treat ordinances allowing for jail time. But fines associated with age limits, curfews, masks and more were aplenty.

By Austin Berg

How a ballot selfie could put you in jail in Illinois

There are clear First Amendment issues with outlawing this kind of political speech.

By Austin Berg

Rauner signs bill removing barriers for human trafficking survivors

Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed into law a measure allowing human trafficking survivors to apply to have their criminal records sealed for offences committed under coercion.

By Janelle Cammenga

Momentum builds for pardon of Peoria man who served 15 years for drug offense

Jason Spyres was arrested on drug charges nearly 20 years ago. In the years since, he’s been on a path of personal success and growth. A pardon from Gov. Bruce Rauner should follow.