In a tough year, some new Illinois laws to welcome

11/26/2017

While 2017 was a bad year for Illinois taxpayers, there are bright spots among the bills that passed the General Assembly.

TAGS: civil asset forfeiture, expungement, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, IMRF: Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, local government consolidation, municipal pensions, pensions, record sealing

Rauner signs civil asset forfeiture reform into law

By Brendan Bakala

09/19/2017

The new law will transfer the burden of proof to law enforcement in forfeiture proceedings.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, civil asset forfeiture, criminal justice reform

U.S. House votes to crack down on civil asset forfeiture

By Brendan Bakala

09/15/2017

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.

TAGS: civil asset forfeiture

Trump administration undermines Illinois civil asset forfeiture reforms

By Hilary Gowins

07/22/2017

The reinstatement of a federal asset forfeiture program marks a step backward for civil asset forfeiture reform.

TAGS: civil asset forfeiture, criminal justice reform, Jeff Sessions

Illinois legislature passes civil asset forfeiture reform

By Hilary Gowins

06/23/2017

Civil asset forfeiture reform has now cleared the Illinois General Assembly.

TAGS: civil asset forfeiture, criminal justice reform

New Hampshire legislature passes civil asset forfeiture reform

By Bryant Jackson-Green

06/27/2016

The New Hampshire legislature has passed an overhaul of asset forfeiture laws to protect rights of innocent property owners; Illinois should do the same.

TAGS: civil asset forfeiture, criminal justice reform

Police in Illinois can seize your property without convicting you of a crime

By Austin Berg

06/09/2016

Illinois police have taken in a total of $72 million in seized property over the past two years.

TAGS: civil asset forfeiture, criminal justice reform

It’s time Illinois ends civil asset forfeiture

By Bryant Jackson-Green

04/23/2016

Michigan, Minnesota and now Nebraska have reformed civil asset forfeiture – it’s time Illinois followed suit.

TAGS: civil asset forfeiture, criminal justice reform

Governments in Illinois can take your property without charging you with a crime

By Jeffrey Schwab, Bryant Jackson-Green

03/29/2016

A court decision involving the government’s seizure of more than $270,000 from two Chicagoans highlights major problems with civil asset forfeiture.

TAGS: civil asset forfeiture, criminal justice reform

Law enforcement now seizes more property from citizens than burglars

By Bryant Jackson-Green

11/25/2015

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.

TAGS: civil asset forfeiture

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

Published June 3, 2025 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The best path to empowerment and success, especially for poor people, is work. Work allows us to prosper while providing dignity, upward mobility, the means to support ourselves and create value for others. It’s how we become thriving members of our community. Central to this process is our education...

View Report

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

Report Archive

Allan Luzbetak

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students