Juvenile Justice Archives

Illinois lawmakers demand probe of Chicago center for troubled youth

When foster children were physically and sexually abused at a South Side facility, state officials tried to backdate documents. Injustice Watch exposed the abuses and shoddy oversight – and now state lawmakers are calling for a comprehensive audit

by David Jackson October 4, 2024October 5, 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

Police

‘Contratos de Pandillas’ en escuelas de Cicero y Berwyn causan preocupación sobre la criminalización juvenil

Más de 100 estudiantes en siete años han firmado “contratos de pandilla” por una presunta afiliación a una pandilla.

by Irene Romulo (Cicero Independiente) June 1, 2021January 30, 2024

Police

‘Gang contracts’ in Cicero and Berwyn schools raise concerns about criminalization of youth

More than 100 students in seven years have signed “gang contracts” for a suspected gang affiliation.

by Irene Romulo (Cicero Independiente) May 26, 2021January 25, 2024

Juvenile Justice

Chicago man’s 39-year sentence for murder committed as teen cut to 25 years

The Illinois Appellate Court, in a rare step, amended a 16-year-old offender’s sentence finding that Cook County Circuit Judge Kenneth J. Wadas had not properly considered the teen’s youth at the time of the incident.

by Emily Hoerner December 10, 2020December 5, 2023

Less than Life

Judge cuts sentence in half for Chicago man charged with murder at 16

Dimitri Buffer was eligible for resentencing after the Illinois Supreme Court ruled in his case last year that a 41-year sentence is equivalent to life for a juvenile.

by Emily Hoerner August 25, 2020January 8, 2024

Juvenile Justice

Top juvenile court judge still blocking motions despite new emergency order

Presiding Judge Michael Toomin continues to vet and reject detention review motions from juveniles, despite an order from the chief judge that all detention reviews be heard.

by John Seasly May 6, 2020January 8, 2024

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