Projects Archives

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.

Illinois DCFS blocks undocumented survivors of child abuse from applying for legal status, records show

For years, the child-welfare agency has refused to issue U visa certifications to survivors of child abuse, despite a state law mandating DCFS decide whether victims qualify for one within 90 business days of applying.

by Carlos Ballesteros February 23, 2023January 8, 2024

U Visa Denials

Illinois AG investigating Chicago police over handling of U visas

The probe by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul follows Injustice Watch’s investigation into the Chicago Police Department’s denial of hundreds of U visa certification requests from undocumented crime victims.

by Carlos Ballesteros February 6, 2023July 3, 2025

U Visa Denials

Alderpeople call for hearings on Chicago police U visa certification program following Injustice Watch investigation

The investigation revealed that Chicago police denied more U visa certification requests than other large cities, and some of the denials contradicted state and federal guidelines.

by Carlos Ballesteros December 15, 2022January 8, 2024

U Visa Denials

La policía de Chicago negó a decenas de indocumentados que fueron víctimas de delitos un camino hacia la ciudadanía

Inmigrantes que buscan una visa U están siendo bloqueados por dos sargentos que anteriormente estuvieron cerca de ser despedidos por estar involucrados en tiroteos controversiales, lo cual genera dudas sobre el compromiso de CPD con el programa de visas U.

by Carlos Ballesteros December 12, 2022January 8, 2024

Illustration of two police officers placing U visa applications in a pile labeled “denied.”

U Visa Denials

Chicago police denied scores of undocumented crime victims a path to citizenship

Immigrants seeking a U visa are being blocked by two sergeants who were previously involved in controversial shootings and on the verge of being fired, raising questions about CPD’s commitment to the U visa program.

by Carlos Ballesteros December 8, 2022August 8, 2024

2022 Retention, Judges, Judicial Elections, Projects

Election results: All Cook County judges won retention in 2022 election

Democrats maintained their majority on the state’s highest court after winning one of the two competitive supreme court races in the collar counties.

by Maya Dukmasova November 30, 2022January 29, 2024

A hand holds a judicial eletcion ballot with question marks around it

2022 Retention, Judges, Judicial Elections, Projects

We answer your last-minute questions about voting for judges

Judicial elections can feel overwhelming, but you shouldn’t leave the ballot blank. Injustice Watch partnered with WBEZ’s “Curious City” to answer your questions about judicial elections.

by Maya Dukmasova and Alexandra Salomon November 4, 2022June 26, 2025

Five people stand in a courtroom in front of a judge with clipboards, ready to evaluate him.

2022 Retention, Judges, Judicial Elections, Projects

Is there a better way to evaluate retention judges?

Nearly half of states have public commissions that evaluate judges’ performance. But Illinois, where voters rely on evaluations from bar associations, has historically resisted judicial reforms.

by J. Patrick Patterson November 3, 2022January 29, 2024