Kelly Garcia, Author at Injustice Watch

Kelly Garcia

Kelly Garcia reports on youths, prisons, and the court system. Before joining Injustice Watch in 2022, Kelly was a staff writer at the Chicago Reader, where she wrote about news and politics on the Southwest Side. In 2022, the Chicago Journalists Association named her Emerging Journalist of the Year for her reporting on the private music festivals occupying Douglass Park. She was born in Miami and raised in Orlando before moving to Chicago for college. She now lives on the Lower West Side.

2026 Primary

What makes these judicial races on Chicago’s South Side unique?

This year, fewer judicial candidates are running overall, either countywide or in a subcircuit. But voters in the South Loop, Hyde Park, South Shore and Roseland neighborhoods are choosing from an unusually crowded field for two open seats.

by Kelly Garcia and Marie Mendoza, WBEZ March 17, 2026March 17, 2026

A bald black man in a black suit over a black shirt sitting in a chair

Youth Incarceration

Former juvenile jail superintendent lived in Chicago, report says

Injustice Watch reported last year that Leonard Dixon, who ran the Cook County juvenile detention center for a decade, owned property and voted in Michigan.

by Kelly Garcia January 28, 2026

Youth Incarceration

Leonard Dixon stepping down as head of Cook County juvenile detention center

The superintendent of one of the country’s largest juvenile jails is resigning Dec. 1 after a decade-long tenure marked by controversy.

by Kelly Garcia November 14, 2025November 14, 2025

Surveillance video shows a guard in a black uniform through the window of a cell door marked 12. The light is casting shadows along the brick wall next to the cells.

Youth Incarceration

‘Horrific’ video of incident at Chicago’s juvenile jail raises questions about recent trial, experts say

Former Juvenile Temporary Detention Center employee Kevin Walker was acquitted last month of charges related to the incident, which left a 15-year-old boy bruised and unconscious.

by Kelly Garcia November 12, 2025

A bald black man in a blue suit jacket sits in a courtroom between his two attorneys, a white man and a black woman. We're looking at them from the side as they look ahead.

Youth Incarceration

Former Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center employee found not guilty in incident that left a 15-year-old boy unconscious and bruised

The verdict highlights the challenges of holding detention center staff accountable for alleged abuse, advocates say.

by Kelly Garcia November 4, 2025

An illustration of a young person at the Cook County youth detention center standing in a doorway

Youth Incarceration

Rare criminal trial of former Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center employee expected to start Thursday

Kevin Walker is charged with aggravated battery and official misconduct for allegedly throwing a handcuffed 15-year-old boy to the floor in December 2023, causing a head injury.

by Kelly Garcia October 29, 2025November 4, 2025

Illustration of Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center Superintendent Leonard Dixon's empty desk chair with his trademark Black cowboy hat sitting on it. In the background, there's a shadow of a guard and a kid against a wall full of plaques and photographs.

Youth Incarceration

Superintendent of Chicago’s youth jail might not live here, records show

Leonard Dixon has run the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center — one of the largest youth jails in the country — for a decade. Records and interviews suggest he might not live in Chicago and is rarely seen at the facility.

by Kelly Garcia September 3, 2025November 4, 2025

An illustration of a group of people standing in front of a maze. A giant set of scales is toppled over at its center.

Immigration

Chicago immigration court: A guide to removal hearings

Are attorneys free? What happens if you miss a court hearing? We spoke with legal experts to answer common questions.

by Kelly Garcia March 27, 2025January 16, 2026

Immigration

La corte de inmigración en Chicago: Una guía para las audiencias de deportación

Son gratuitos los abogados? ¿Qué sucede si falto asistir a mi audiencia judicial? Respuestas a preguntas comunes.

by Kelly Garcia March 27, 2025August 8, 2025

A Cook County ballot showing the judicial retention races.

2024 Retention

O’Malley loses retention, becoming third judge in 6 years to be ousted by voters

Voters rejected the judge after Injustice Watch reported he claimed a Will County home as his primary residence and bar associations unanimously recommended against him.

by Kelly Garcia November 21, 2024November 22, 2024

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