Emily Hoerner, Senior Reporter at Injustice Watch

Emily Hoerner

Emily Hoerner was a reporter for Injustice Watch from 2016 to 2021, where she covered policing, judges, and other aspects of the criminal justice system. She won numerous awards for her work at Injustice Watch, including an Ancil Payne Award for Ethics in Journalism and a National Headline Club award, and was a finalist for the Online News Association's Knight Award for Public Service.

2018 Primary

Cook County judicial candidate pulls an Irish name switcheroo

Nearly eight years after an unsuccessful judicial bid in Will County as a Republican, attorney Phillip Spiwak is trying again to win a seat on the bench – this time in Cook County, with a new party and new name. Voters: meet Shannon P. O’Malley, Democrat.

by Emily Hoerner February 5, 2018September 19, 2025

Judicial Conduct

Judge: Cook County judicial corruption did not affect 1977 murder trial

A Cook County Circuit Court judge Wednesday denied to grant a new trial to a man who contends his conviction on charges he murdered a plainclothes Chicago police officer in 1976 was wrongly decided by a judge who sought to divert attention from his own corruption.

by Emily Hoerner and Jeanne Kuang January 24, 2018December 5, 2023

Parole and Clemency

Rauner appointee, accused of ethics violations, removed from Illinois board

Illinois Prisoner Review Board member John Clough was removed from the board amidst allegations he used a racial slur as a sheriff’s deputy and committed state ethics violations.

by Jeanne Kuang and Emily Hoerner January 24, 2018December 5, 2023

Appeals and Wrongful Convictions

DNA disproves evidence used to convict two in 1986 Chicago murder, lawyers say

Recent DNA testing supports the contention of inmates Curtis Croft and Demetrius Henderson that they have spent years in prison for a rape and murder they did not commit, a newly-filed petition states.

by Emily Hoerner and Jeanne Kuang December 22, 2017December 5, 2023

Parole and Clemency

Rauner appointee to Illinois board accused of racial slurs, ethics violations

Newly released public documents regarding board member John W. Clough appear to show that he submitted inaccurate financial disclosure forms to the state, conducted electioneering with a state-issued vehicle, and was overheard using a derogatory racial slur as a deputy.

by Emily Hoerner and Jeanne Kuang December 19, 2017December 5, 2023

Illinois Prisons

Illinois prison guards harass, assault transgender prisoner, lawsuit says

The lawsuit contends guards at two Illinois prisons beat and harassed a transgender female prisoner, and that she has been moved to solitary confinement after filing a complaint.

by Emily Hoerner December 7, 2017December 5, 2023

Court Administration

Cook County Chief Judge sues County Board over budget

Cook County’s Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans filed suit against the Cook County Board Thursday, contending the budget cuts would require laying off 161 court employees and put in jeopardy recent efforts to revamp the county’s bail system.

by Emily Hoerner November 30, 2017December 5, 2023

The Long Wait

Attorneys: Cook County judge’s corruption polluted his handling of murder case

In 1977, a judge convicted an 18-year old of murder and sentenced him to 200-to-600 years in prison. Forty years later, the prisoners’ attorneys contend the trial and sentencing were an improper effort by a corrupt judge to dilute public criticism.

by Emily Hoerner and Jeanne Kuang November 29, 2017December 5, 2023

The Long Wait

For sixth time, Illinois board rejects parole for man convicted of 1976 murders

Larry Kurina was once paroled for the double murder he committed in 1976, while a minor. But since his parole was violated in 1976 following an arrest for possessing stolen tools, the Illinois Prison Review Board has denied Kurina a second chance. Thursday the outcome was no different.

by Emily Hoerner and Jeanne Kuang November 16, 2017December 5, 2023

Bail and Pretrial

Report: Judging bail reform impossible because officials withhold key data

The county judges and sheriff make meaningful review of bail reforms difficult by withholding key data, the Civic Federation reports.

by Emily Hoerner November 15, 2017December 5, 2023

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