Projects Archives

Side-by-side illustrated portraits of special prosecutors David Rands and Brian Towne

The whistleblowers vs. the shadow prosecutors

A new trove of documents independently confirmed by Injustice Watch allege previously unreported misconduct and conflicts of interest by Illinois’ Special Prosecution Unit.

by David Jackson September 16, 2026September 15, 2026

ICE Informants

Illinois promised to protect immigrants. Local officials helped deport them anyway.

In over a third of Illinois counties, cops, sheriffs, and even prosecutors helped federal immigration agents route at least 150 people into the deportation system since Trump returned to office, despite a state law intended to prevent such collaboration.

by Aura Bogado August 25, 2026September 16, 2026

Photo illustration of two hands shaking. The one on the left has a sleeve showing green fatigues like an ICE agent and the one on the right, a suit.

ICE Informants

The county prosecutors who became ICE informants

Illinois prosecutors shared defendants’ personal data with federal immigration agents without criminal warrants, public disclosure, or legislative oversight.

by Aura Bogado August 25, 2026August 24, 2026

An older couple stand inside their home in a slight shadow, looking off to the right, out a window.

Shadow Prosecutors

Special prosecutors have protected powerful defendants and derailed justice for crime victims

A well-connected pharmacist was charged with killing a young mother. Local conflicts of interest embroiled the case even after a special prosecutor was appointed.

by David Jackson August 11, 2026August 13, 2026

A boxy two-story building with a sign in front that reads State's Attorney Appellate Prosecutor

Prosecutors

What is a special prosecutor and how are they appointed?

Special prosecutors are called in when the local state’s attorney has a conflict of some kind. Here’s how the process works.

by David Jackson August 11, 2026August 11, 2026

An illustration of seven special prosecutors in suits standing in a V shape looking straight ahead. There's a green hue over all of them and the illustration fades to black at the bottom.

Shadow Prosecutors

‘The wrong side of justice’

Illinois’ Special Prosecution Unit has been responsible for dozens of questionable cases, while acting outside of public view and with little oversight.

by David Jackson August 11, 2026August 11, 2026

Shadow Prosecutors

How the Special Prosecution Unit shattered a small-town civic leader’s life

Special prosecutors failed to disclose evidence that cast doubt on the case against an Illinois man for the murder of his wife.

by David Jackson August 11, 2026August 11, 2026

Illustration of several men in suits standing behind a judge's bench in a mostly empty courtroom.

Shadow Prosecutors

Special prosecutors have strong political ties and practically no public oversight

The agency housing Illinois’ Special Prosecution Unit is deeply entangled in state politics and got a legislative ally to write it out of the state’s public records law.

by David Jackson August 11, 2026August 11, 2026

A photograph of Roberto Almodovar's framed certificate of innocence. Taylor Glascock for Injustice Watch and Bolts.

Denying Innocence

Illinois bill and court ruling could help more people move on after wrongful convictions

Days after an appeals court ruled that some people should automatically get certificates of innocence, state legislators passed a bill to raise compensation for wrongful convictions.

by Dan Hinkel June 11, 2026July 16, 2026

The Illinois state capitol in Springfield

Taken by Taxes

Illinois tax sales get an overhaul, but how much will homeowners benefit?

State legislators passed historic reforms to Illinois’ controversial tax sales, which had led to thousands losing their homes and all of their home equity.

by Carlos Ballesteros and Emeline Posner, Investigative Project on Race and Equity June 5, 2026June 4, 2026

Get our weekly newsletter