Shadow Prosecutors
When local prosecutors might have political or personal ties to a defendant, the state brings in an elite squad of government attorneys: the Illinois Special Prosecution Unit. They are supposed to be lawyers beyond reproach. Instead, the unit has been clouded by allegations of corruption, misconduct, and conflicts of interest.
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Illinois’ Special Prosecution Unit has been responsible for dozens of questionable cases, while acting outside of public view and with little oversight.
Prosecutorial Misconduct
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.
Political Entanglements
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.
Conflicts of interest
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.
EXPLAINER: What is a special prosecutor and how are they appointed? →
Project Contributors
Reporting by David Jackson
Photography by Taylor Glascock
Illustrations by Verónica Martinez
Editing by Jonah Newman, Robin Amer
Visualizations by Maggie Sivit