Dan Hinkel, Author at Injustice Watch

Dan Hinkel

Dan Hinkel reports on courts and the legal system. He joined Injustice Watch in 2023 after two decades covering criminal justice and other issues for the Chicago Tribune, the Illinois Answers Project, the Times of Northwest Indiana, and the Janesville Gazette. He also covered Kyle Rittenhouse’s 2021 criminal trial as a freelancer for the New York Times. He is a native of Janesville, Wis., who graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and he lives on Chicago’s Northwest Side.

A prosecutor standing up and pointing her finger at a defendant sitting behind a table.

2024 Primary

High-ranking Cook County prosecutor jumps into race for judge

Risa Lanier, second-in-command to Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, has been central to the office’s heater cases and controversies. Now, she’s running in the 19th Subcircuit after failing to win Democratic Party support for a countywide bid.

by Dan Hinkel February 26, 2024February 26, 2024

2024 Primary, Judges, Judicial Elections, Projects

Cook County Democrats back Illinois Supreme Court Justice Cunningham and slate of judicial candidates for 2024

In a political ritual preceding every election cycle, those who want to be judges appear at a colorful meeting to vie for the support of Democratic power brokers. The slating event is often a strong indication of who will become a judge.

by Dan Hinkel and Alejandra Cancino August 15, 2023December 5, 2023

Public Defenders

Cook County’s former top public defender ‘misused confidential information,’ report says

The Cook County inspector general accused former public defender Amy Campanelli of inappropriately sharing data on her office’s youth clients to benefit a nonprofit organization where she later took a job.

by Dan Hinkel and Kelly Garcia July 17, 2023March 22, 2024

Robert Smith on March 14, 2022 sitting in a wheelchair outside his Roseland home.

Police

Former Chicago police superintendent accused of lying in murder case

A man exonerated after 33 years in prison for double murder says records prove then-Lt. Philip Cline lied to jurors during his trial about taking his confession in 1987. He is suing the city.

by Dan Hinkel and Jason Meisner March 22, 2022February 1, 2024

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