David Jackson, Author at Injustice Watch

David Jackson

David Jackson has reported on judges, elder financial exploitation, and the court system. Before joining Injustice Watch in 2023, he was an investigative reporter at the Chicago Tribune and the Washington Post, where he won a Pulitzer Prize, a senior editor at Chicago magazine, and a writer for alternative weeklies. His stories have sparked legislative hearings, exposed official corruption, and lifted the voices of neglected people. He was born and raised in Chicago.

An older couple stand inside their home in a slight shadow, looking off to the right, out a window.

Shadow Prosecutors

Special prosecutors have protected powerful defendants and derailed justice for crime victims

A well-connected pharmacist was charged with killing a young mother. Local conflicts of interest embroiled the case even after a special prosecutor was appointed.

by David Jackson August 11, 2026August 13, 2026

A boxy two-story building with a sign in front that reads State's Attorney Appellate Prosecutor

Prosecutors

What is a special prosecutor and how are they appointed?

Special prosecutors are called in when the local state’s attorney has a conflict of some kind. Here’s how the process works.

by David Jackson August 11, 2026August 11, 2026

An illustration of seven special prosecutors in suits standing in a V shape looking straight ahead. There's a green hue over all of them and the illustration fades to black at the bottom.

Shadow Prosecutors

‘The wrong side of justice’

Illinois’ Special Prosecution Unit has been responsible for dozens of questionable cases, while acting outside of public view and with little oversight.

by David Jackson August 11, 2026August 11, 2026

Shadow Prosecutors

How the Special Prosecution Unit shattered a small-town civic leader’s life

Special prosecutors failed to disclose evidence that cast doubt on the case against an Illinois man for the murder of his wife.

by David Jackson August 11, 2026August 11, 2026

Illustration of several men in suits standing behind a judge's bench in a mostly empty courtroom.

Shadow Prosecutors

Special prosecutors have strong political ties and practically no public oversight

The agency housing Illinois’ Special Prosecution Unit is deeply entangled in state politics and got a legislative ally to write it out of the state’s public records law.

by David Jackson August 11, 2026August 11, 2026

A man sits behind a voting booth in a park building with historical photos on the wall behind him.

2026 Primary

Judicial election results: Three appointed judges rejected by voters in Cook County judicial primaries

Voters had no choice in more than half the races, which were uncontested. Several candidates won despite negative ratings from local bar groups.

by David Jackson March 18, 2026April 8, 2026

Voters stand at voting booths in front of a wall of dryers at a laundromat.

2026 Primary

No contest: Cook County judicial primary elections draw dwindling field of candidates

For the second straight primary season, more than half the races for Cook County circuit judge on the March 17 ballot are uncontested, with just 45 candidates vying for 28 open seats.

by Dan Hinkel and David Jackson February 13, 2026February 13, 2026

Court Administration

Troubled county tech firm used insider lobbyist who was later convicted in ComEd corruption scheme

Tyler Technologies’ major county contracts – peppered with delays and cost overruns – were shepherded by well-connected lobbyist Jay Doherty, who is set to be sentenced this summer for his role in the unrelated utility scandal.

by David Jackson and A.D. Quig June 11, 2025June 11, 2025

Illustration showing two people shoveling money into a furnace.

Court Administration

Costs triple, delays mount in vital tech contracts

Elected officials in three Cook County and Illinois agencies have spent a quarter of a billion dollars after hiring a Texas company to overhaul outdated court and government computer systems. The three projects are taking years and are mired in accusations of incompetence.

by David Jackson, A.D. Quig and Kristen Axtman April 6, 2025April 7, 2025

Judicial Conduct

Property records raise new questions about influential Cook County judge

Judge E. Kenneth Wright Jr. acquired a handful of Chicago homes from the estates of deceased clients when he was a solo law practitioner in the 1990s. Now, two families claim he took advantage of his elderly clients.

by David Jackson December 12, 2024December 12, 2024

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