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.

Clips from the order by Chief Judge Timothy Evans referring E. Kenneth Wright and Shannon O'Malley to the Judicial Inquiry Board.

Judicial Conduct

Powerful Cook County judge referred to judicial misconduct board over residency conflicts

Judge E. Kenneth Wright, who presides over the first municipal district, and Judge Shannon O’Malley were referred for investigation after Injustice Watch reported they had claimed homeowner’s exemptions on houses they owned in Will County.

by David Jackson and Kelly Garcia November 6, 2024November 6, 2024

2024 Retention

Bar groups reconsider ratings of powerful Cook County judge, citing Injustice Watch report

Running for retention Nov. 5, Judge E. Kenneth Wright Jr. faces criticism from two prominent bar groups after disclosures of inappropriate tax exemptions he took on a house in Will County. Since the Injustice Watch report earlier this month, the veteran judge moved to rescind the tax breaks.

by David Jackson and Kelly Garcia October 17, 2024October 17, 2024

A judge mowing the lawn in front of a suburban house in his judicial robes.

2024 Retention

Two Cook County judges claim homestead exemptions in Will County

One of the judges says he is living apart from his wife, who still lives there; and the other, the presiding judge of the First Municipal District, declined to answer questions. The law requires judges to live in the jurisdiction they serve.

by Kelly Garcia and David Jackson October 2, 2024October 8, 2024

Illustration showing two white police officers walking away with a Black child in handcuffs. We can only see them from behind, and the Chicago skyline is behind them.

Juvenile Courts

Su hijo fue arrestado en Chicago ¿Qué sucede después?

Hablamos con expertos legales para entender qué sucede después de que un niño es detenido por la policía y qué protecciones existen para los jóvenes en el sistema de justicia juvenil.

by Kelly Garcia August 28, 2024September 27, 2024

Juvenile Courts

Your child was arrested in Chicago. What happens next?

We spoke with legal experts to understand what happens when a child is arrested and what protections are in place for children in the juvenile justice system.

by Kelly Garcia July 18, 2024June 24, 2025

A young Black man in a black hoodie sweatshirt walks down a hallway past a painting with musical notes and peace signs.

Juvenile Justice

5 takeaways from our investigation into youth justice in Chicago

We found Chicago’s $10 million Youth Intervention Pathways program has enrolled a small fraction of kids arrested and relied on nonprofit contractors with past controversies.

by Dan Hinkel and Kelly Garcia June 26, 2024June 26, 2024

Illustration of a progression of mugshots as a young person ages through the criminal justice system.

Juvenile Justice

For kids arrested in Chicago, the city has little to offer

While youth arrests are way down, Chicago has failed to fix its long-broken approach to providing support for kids who get arrested, lagging far behind mayoral promises and serving only a fraction of kids who might need help.

by Dan Hinkel and Kelly Garcia June 26, 2024July 23, 2024

A four-story white building that houses the Cook County Juvenile Court and Juvenile Temporary Detention Center

Youth Incarceration

Cook County plans to replace juvenile detention center with smaller ‘centers of care’

Fewer than 50 kids are expected to remain in the juvenile jail, while most kids will be released post-arrest or held in semi-secure, community-based facilities, according to a proposal from Chief Judge Timothy Evans’ office.

by Kelly Garcia May 24, 2024May 26, 2024

Deidre Baumann walks past a large campaign sign that reads "Deidre Baumann for judge 2024, 7th subcircuit: The Voice for Equal Justice" in huge letters.

2024 Primary

A perennial candidate pins her hopes on her sixth run for judge

Deidre Baumann has spent more than a decade trying to become a Cook County judge. Here’s why she thinks this race, for a seat in the 7th Subcircuit, will be different.

by Kelly Garcia March 12, 2024March 12, 2024

Illustration of three locked juvenile detention cell doors. Through the narrow window you can see silhouettes of children sitting alone in their cells.

Juvenile Courts, Youth Incarceration

Most juvenile detention centers in Illinois are failing to meet state standards

Audit reports show juvenile detention centers across the state are overusing room confinement and providing insufficient mental health services to youths in custody, among other issues.

by Kelly Garcia and Missy Scavongelli November 9, 2023January 30, 2024

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