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    Josh McGhee

    Josh McGhee

    Josh was a reporter at Injustice Watch from 2020-2022, where he covered courts, policing and public defense, with an emphasis on data. Josh grew up in Tinley Park, attended Providence Catholic High School, and Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri.

    • Follow @TheVoiceofJosh
    A man sifts through a binder of documents laid out on the hood of his car in a parking lot, while looking at the camera.
    The Circuit

    Hundreds more Black Chicagoans are pleading guilty to gun-possession charges. Here’s one possible reason why.

    By Josh McGhee | June 17, 2022

    As Chicago police have made more gun arrests, prosecutors are taking nearly all cases through the secretive grand jury process, where indictments are close to a sure thing.

    Events
    Silhouetted figures approach a maze with the scales of justice fallen on their side in the center.

    Panel weighs problems and solutions at Cook County domestic violence court

    By Josh McGhee | March 11, 2022

    At an event hosted by Injustice Watch and the Chicago Reader, experts discussed challenges that survivors face in domestic violence court, especially amid the “chaos” of the Covid-19 pandemic, and changes needed following former top Judge Raúl Vega’s departure.

    News

    Committee proposes changes to Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct

    By Josh McGhee | February 1, 2022

    The Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct hasn’t been overhauled since 1993. The proposed changes include guidelines on how judges can use social media and other technology, which didn’t exist when it was last updated.

    The Circuit
    The outside of the Cook County Jail

    Fewer people in Cook County are being charged with crimes. Why are Black people making up a larger share of defendants?

    By Josh McGhee and Jared Rutecki (Better Government Association) | December 1, 2021

    We broke down the data on specific charges and asked experts to explain why racial disparities are increasing in Cook County criminal court.

    News
    Cook County public defender's office

    Cook County Public Defender’s Office seeks federal grant to expand its mental health services

    By Josh McGhee | October 6, 2021

    The office applied for an $800,000 federal grant to add clinicians and case workers to its small mental health unit.

    News
    The sillouhettes of judges huddled in a rrom with their backs turned.

    New class of Cook County associate judges more racially diverse than past years

    By Aviva Waldman, Carlos Ballesteros and Josh McGhee | September 15, 2021

    Former prosecutors dominate the roster of 22 new associate judges, who were selected last week by the county’s circuit judges.

    COVID-19

    No one knows how many Chicago cops are vaccinated against Covid-19

    By Carlos Ballesteros and Josh McGhee | August 30, 2021

    How many cops have gotten their vaccine shots? The question has a definite answer. But no one in Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s office or the police department seems able to put a number on it.

    News

    Illinois Supreme Court fills vacancy of judge who locked grandniece in holding cell

    By Josh McGhee | July 1, 2021

    The subcircuit seat has been vacant since Dec. 7, after Judge Jackie Portman-Brown lost her retention bid.

    News
    Cook County public defender's office

    Lack of statewide oversight has led to excessive caseloads for Illinois public defenders, study says

    By Josh McGhee | June 10, 2021

    Illinois is one of just seven states with no statewide oversight of public defenders. A new bill passed by the Illinois General Assembly would create a task force to further study public defender caseloads and quality of representation.

    Cook County Public Defender

    Cook County’s new public defender seeks more visibility — and money — for his office

    By Josh McGhee | June 4, 2021

    Sharone Mitchell Jr., who took over the public defender’s office in April, hopes to add more attorneys and work with community groups fighting for racial justice and systemic change.

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    Injustice Watch is a nonpartisan, nonprofit journalism organization that conducts in-depth research exposing institutional failures that obstruct justice and equality.

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