Rita Oceguera

Rita Oceguera was a reporter for Injustice Watch from 2020 to 2022, covering immigration, policing, and class equity as a Report for America corps member. She graduated from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, studying investigative journalism and anthropology. Before joining Injustice Watch, Rita worked at The Chicago Reporter as the bilingual community engagement reporter, focused on creating relationships with the Latino community living in the suburbs.

Judges

Abortion-rights advocates fearful of Republicans gaining control of Illinois Supreme Court in Nov. 8 election

With Roe overturned, a Republican majority on the state’s highest court could limit access to abortions, particularly for teens, across the Midwest.

by Rita Oceguera and Maureen Dunne November 1, 2022February 1, 2024

An illiustration showing computer pop-up windows that say "Loading data" and "Data not found", over images of the scales of justice and the Cook County criminal court building

Court Administration

Lack of statewide pretrial data is an impediment to reforms, advocates say

Advocates for domestic violence survivors say data is essential to debunk misinformation about the Pretrial Fairness Act. But a state board created to collect that data delayed its collection until next year.

by Rita Oceguera September 9, 2022January 8, 2024

2022 Primary

‘Who are you loyal to?’ Complaints arose from Judge-elect ShawnTe Raines-Welch’s work in south suburbs

Raines-Welch, who is headed for the bench after a win in last month’s primary election, has spent a decade as a municipal attorney for several south suburban municipalities.

by Rita Oceguera July 14, 2022December 5, 2023

A judge sits with a gavel with outstretched hands of people offering money, some with X's over them.

2022 Primary

Illinois judicial candidates are frustrated with new ban on out-of-state donations

Illinois banned out-of-state donations to deter outside influence in judicial campaigns, but candidates and experts say it fails to address interference from powerful individuals and groups within the state.

by Rita Oceguera May 20, 2022December 5, 2023

Un hombre con una barba de chivo canela, vestido con saco negro y corbata, se para frente a un automóvil "lowrider" marrón.

Police

Habitante de Aurora demanda a la policía por presunta fuerza excesiva durante una detención de tránsito

George Gutiérrez dijo que la policía de Aurora intensificó la detención de abril de 2020 después de enterarse de una condena penal de décadas. Los defensores dijeron que su caso ilustra el maltrato del Departamento de Policía de Aurora a los residentes negros y latinos.

by Rita Oceguera March 3, 2022January 8, 2024

A man with a salt-and-pepper goatee wearing a black coat and tie stands in front of a brown lowrider car.

Police

Aurora man sues cops for alleged excessive force during traffic stop

George Gutierrez said Aurora police escalated the April 2020 stop after learning about a decades-old criminal conviction. Advocates said his case illustrates the Aurora Police Department’s mistreatment of Black and Latinx residents.

by Rita Oceguera February 25, 2022January 8, 2024

Gerald Berry, 16 in this photo, holding his baby brother Kendrick. Berry is serving life in prison on a felony murder conviction.

Criminal Courts

Illinois changed its controversial ‘felony murder rule.’ Here’s who the reform left behind.

Illinois recently made changes to narrow the scope of the law, which disproportionately impacts young people of color and women. But advocates say the reforms don’t go far enough.

by Rita Oceguera and Chloe Hilles January 20, 2022January 8, 2024

Police

El oficial de policía de Aurora acusado de conducta sexual inapropiada se mantiene en su trabajo

El oficial David Brian ha acumulado al menos 74 quejas durante una carrera de 26 años en el Departamento de Policía de Aurora, incluidas dos denuncias recientes de acoso sexual sostenidas por investigadores del departamento.

by Rita Oceguera December 17, 2021December 5, 2023

Police

Aurora police officer accused of sexual misconduct remains on the job

Officer David Brian has racked up at least 74 complaints over a 26-year career in the Aurora Police Department, including two recent allegations of sexual harassment that were sustained by department investigators.

by Rita Oceguera December 17, 2021January 8, 2024

A sign reading Logan Correctional Center in front of a one-story brick building

Illinois Prisons

Thousands of women are serving life in U.S. prisons. Their history of trauma is often overlooked.

A new study looks at the growing number of women serving life sentences and sheds light on the ways courts ignore trauma and abuse.

by Rita Oceguera October 6, 2021January 8, 2024

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