Projects Archives

Appellate court throws out ‘excessive sentence’ for Chicago man denied parole over 30 times

Ronnie Carrasquillo will be resentenced after 46 years in prison after an appellate court panel ruled he has not been given a ‘meaningful’ opportunity for parole by the state’s Prisoner Review Board. The ruling follows a 2017 Injustice Watch series, “The Long Wait,” which examined the board’s opaque process.

by Grace Asiegbu September 21, 2023January 30, 2024

The exterior of a Citibank branch on Michigan Avenue in Chicago

Exploited Elders

Citi wealth adviser accused of steering older clients into money-losing film projects

The horror film producer is accused in court docs of soliciting investments from elder clients, part of what experts say is a growing national trend of financial professionals preying on older Americans and their bank accounts.

by David Jackson August 18, 2023July 23, 2024

Illustration of an older woman sitting on a couch with a cane next to her, with piles of garbage and papers scattered around the room.

Exploited Elders

Probate court cases illustrate Illinois’ broken adult protection system

In a letter to a social service agency, the Cook County Public Guardian criticized a lack of state intervention in several instances in which older adults with disabilities were being defrauded.

by David Jackson August 18, 2023February 2, 2024

2024 Primary, Judges, Judicial Elections, Projects

Cook County Democrats back Illinois Supreme Court Justice Cunningham and slate of judicial candidates for 2024

In a political ritual preceding every election cycle, those who want to be judges appear at a colorful meeting to vie for the support of Democratic power brokers. The slating event is often a strong indication of who will become a judge.

by Dan Hinkel and Alejandra Cancino August 15, 2023December 5, 2023

A colorful mural with faces of Black Americans and words including "legacy," "pride," "unity," "fellowship," "peace," and "community".

Exploited Elders

Older Black Americans are at higher risk for financial exploitation

Advocates and experts say there are a number of reasons Black Americans are targeted more for financial scams, including higher rates of Alzheimer’s disease, disparities in wealth and financial literacy, and lack of police response.

by David Jackson August 11, 2023July 23, 2024

A stack of file folders next to partially-redacted papers fanned out on the floor.

Exploited Elders

How we reported on elder financial exploitation

Injustice Watch reviewed thousands of pages of records, analyzed previously unpublished federal data, and interviewed more than 50 victims, family members, and experts for our project on elder financial exploitation.

by David Jackson August 11, 2023February 2, 2024

An old man in a red button-down shirt looks lovingly at and reaches his hand toward a bookshelf with bright green plants.

Exploited Elders

In Illinois, a system meant to protect against elder financial exploitation is failing

Cases are near an all-time high, while arrests and prosecutions have plummeted. Meanwhile, many older adults, like 91-year-old Paul Borik, are losing their life savings as social service caseworkers watch from the sidelines.

by David Jackson August 11, 2023July 23, 2024

U Visa Denials

Promised City Hall hearings on U visa failures never happened

Injustice Watch revealed in December how Chicago police denied hundreds of U visa certifications from undocumented crime victims. More than half of the city council called for accountability and new transparency rules, but the measures never passed.

by Carlos Ballesteros June 20, 2023January 8, 2024

Associate Judges

Cook County Judge Vazquez loses retention vote

Vazquez, who was set to retire next month, was the only Cook County associate judge who was not reappointed to a new four-year term. The vote follows reporting by Injustice Watch about the judge’s actions inside and outside the courtroom.

by Jonah Newman June 8, 2023January 31, 2024

A pink-and-blue hued sketch of a young woman in duplicate. On the left side she's smiling, on the right side she has a sad expression.

U Visa Denials

El DCFS de Illinois impide que personas indocumentadas sobrevivientes de abuso infantil soliciten estatus legal, según muestran los registros

Durante años, el DCFS se ha negado a emitir certificaciones de visa U a sobrevivientes de abuso infantil, a pesar de una ley estatal que exige que la agencia decida si las víctimas califican para una enlos 90 días hábiles posteriores a la solicitud.

by Carlos Ballesteros February 27, 2023January 30, 2024

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