Bad record keeping allows police misconduct to go unpunished
Bad record keeping allows police misconduct to go unpunished
ProPublica Illinois and the Chicago Tribune’s groundbreaking report shows how disciplinary actions for Chicago police officers fall through the cracks.
By Brendan Bakala
Chicago Ald. Ed Burke wants to fine pedestrians up to $500 for ‘distracted walking’
Chicago Ald. Ed Burke wants to fine pedestrians up to $500 for ‘distracted walking’
The proposal would fine pedestrians $90 for checking their phone at city intersections and $500 for the offense of being distracted.
By Vincent Caruso
Founder of pharmaceutical company indicted for bribing doctors to prescribe opioids
Founder of pharmaceutical company indicted for bribing doctors to prescribe opioids
As federal and state officials sound the alarm about opioid abuse, Illinois lawmakers should take steps to root it out of the workers’ compensation system.
By Amy Korte
Jury awards record $44.7M in Chicago police misconduct case
Jury awards record $44.7M in Chicago police misconduct case
This latest amount broke the previous city payout record of $25 million for a wrongful conviction suit in 2012.
By Brendan Bakala
Illinois House approves warrantless wiretapping bill
Illinois House approves warrantless wiretapping bill
A measure passed by the Illinois House of Representatives would extend the law that permits state’s attorneys to authorize wiretaps without a court-issued warrant.
By Amy Korte
How to claim a refund for your Chicago red-light or speed camera ticket
How to claim a refund for your Chicago red-light or speed camera ticket
Those seeking refunds only have until Dec. 11 to file a claim.
By Brendan Bakala
Chicago Police Department audit reveals millions lost in overtime abuse and waste
Chicago Police Department audit reveals millions lost in overtime abuse and waste
The city’s police department has gone over budget for overtime every year for the past six years, costing Chicago taxpayers $575 million in spending for overtime pay.
By Brendan Bakala
If your child misses 90 minutes of school you could be charged with a misdemeanor
If your child misses 90 minutes of school you could be charged with a misdemeanor
Is criminally charging the parents of a truant child an appropriate way to handle missing class?
By Jeffrey Schwab
Chicago’s ticketing policies cause spike in bankruptcies
Chicago’s ticketing policies cause spike in bankruptcies
A ProPublica report shows that since 2009, the rate of bankruptcy filings in black neighborhoods in the Northern District of Illinois has doubled.
By Brendan Bakala
Rauner signs civil asset forfeiture reform into law
Rauner signs civil asset forfeiture reform into law
The new law will transfer the burden of proof to law enforcement in forfeiture proceedings.
By Brendan Bakala
U.S. House votes to crack down on civil asset forfeiture
U.S. House votes to crack down on civil asset forfeiture
A bipartisan group of federal lawmakers, including members of the House Progressive and House Freedom caucuses, have put forth a measure to limit the use of federal dollars in certain civil asset forfeiture proceedings.
By Brendan Bakala
Illinois lawmakers hear testimony for marijuana legalization proposals
Illinois lawmakers hear testimony for marijuana legalization proposals
Two bills to legalize marijuana currently sit in Springfield.
By Brendan Bakala
Rauner signs bill to establish sexual assault evidence tracking system
Rauner signs bill to establish sexual assault evidence tracking system
A new law to create a commission to develop a statewide system to track evidence in sexual assault cases could result in swifter justice for crime victims and increased accountability and transparency in the criminal justice system.
By Amy Korte
Rauner signs bills to expand criminal record sealing and juvenile record expungement
Rauner signs bills to expand criminal record sealing and juvenile record expungement
The new laws will make it easier for ex-offenders re-enter their communities.