News
Can Springfield fix Cook County’s broken bail system?
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The effort to change Cook County’s bail system, stymied for years, suddenly has life in Springfield. But can Illinois legislators accomplish statewide reform?
News
Chicago officials: Trump’s priorities will not hamper police reform
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Trump wants to end Chicago’s “carnage,” but what about its police abuse? Local officials say reform will go on regardless.
News
Lawsuit pits advocates of Cook County bail reform against each other
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Sheriff Tom Dart has been a leading voice pushing for bail reform in Cook County, seeking to free more suspects who await trial behind bars on nonviolent charges. But a lawsuit challenging the system pits Dart against other advocates of change.
News
Cook County judges, sheriff agree: Suit challenging bail should be tossed
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In October, Cook County bond court judges and the sheriff were sued on behalf of arrestees who challenged the constitutional basis of deciding who remains locked up before trial based on their ability to raise cash. Now, the judges and the sheriff are contending the case should be thrown out of court.
News
Feds, Chicago mayor vow reform after report documents police abuse pattern
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As they released a 164-page blistering report on longstanding misconduct by Chicago police, top officials of the U.S. Department of Justice pledged to work cooperatively with Chicago officials to push for reform.
News
Reforming Cook County bail system may have side benefit: lower cost
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Cook County court officials already are seeking more money to provide the services needed to keep fewer people awaiting trial behind bars. But good news from other cities: It ends up costing less, not more, to release more people before trial.
News
Not locked up, but still coming to court
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Does releasing more people before trial—without requiring bail money—make sense? Here’s what the numbers show.
News
Cook County prepares speedy hearings for youth, but other counties lag behind
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Illinois remains wedded to closing juvenile courtrooms on weekends and holidays, even as the legality of doing so comes into question.
News
Cook County poised to end illegal treatment of minors upon arrest
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Cook County court officials have agreed to hold daily hearings for youth upon arrest, ending a longstanding practice that violated U.S. constitutional limits.
News
Federal judge pushes Cook County to give arrested youth prompt hearing
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Failing to fix Cook County’s practice of holding youth excessively long post-arrest would be “catastrophic,” Judge Thomas Durkin warned.