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    Rita Oceguera

    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.

    • Follow @Ritaguera25
    News
    An illustration showing two large-scaled judges sitting on either side of a white opening where a small person stands with a shadow casted behind them.

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

    By Rita Oceguera and Maureen Dunne | November 1, 2022

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

    News
    An illiustration showing computer pop-up windows that say

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

    By Rita Oceguera | September 9, 2022

    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.

    News

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

    By Rita Oceguera | July 14, 2022

    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.

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

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

    By Rita Oceguera | May 20, 2022

    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.

    Departamento de Policía de Aurora
    Un hombre con una barba de chivo canela, vestido con saco negro y corbata, se para frente a un automóvil

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

    By Rita Oceguera | March 3, 2022

    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.

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

    Aurora man sues cops for alleged excessive force during traffic stop

    By Rita Oceguera | February 25, 2022

    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.

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

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

    By Rita Oceguera and Chloe Hilles | January 20, 2022

    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.

    Español
    Illustration of Aurora Police Officer David Brian with a spotlight shining down on him

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

    By Rita Oceguera | December 17, 2021

    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.

    Illustration of Aurora Police Officer David Brian with a spotlight shining down on him
    News

    Aurora police officer accused of sexual misconduct remains on the job

    By Rita Oceguera | December 17, 2021

    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.

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

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

    By Rita Oceguera | October 6, 2021

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

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