COVID-19 Archives

Illinois released white inmates at disproportionately high rates amid pandemic, report shows

State prisons now hold an even larger proportion of Black and Latinx prisoners than before COVID-19 hit, according to a new analysis.

by Emily Hoerner and Carlos Ballesteros June 17, 2020January 8, 2024

Police violence, coronavirus and inequality stealing black lives

“The police violence and the impact of the pandemic are two sides of the same coin,” writes Susan Smith Richardson, CEO of the Center for Public Integrity.

by Susan Smith Richardson June 10, 2020December 5, 2023

‘I didn’t envision being released in a pandemic’

Curtis Ferdinand dreamt of freedom for 24 years. But he never imagined getting out of prison at a time like this, amid a public health crisis and unrest.

by Curtis Ferdinand June 9, 2020January 8, 2024

Court Administration

Cook County court partial shutdown extended to July 6

Chief Judge Timothy Evans’s order will leave open the possibility that normal court operations could resume earlier, once conditions are in place to do so safely.

by John Seasly May 27, 2020December 5, 2023

Criminal Courts

Court watchers fill holes in bond data during COVID jail outbreak

The pandemic has highlighted the lack of data about bond court. Several stakeholders are trying to fill in the gap.

by John Seasly May 20, 2020December 5, 2023

Prosecutors

State’s Attorney has contested vast majority of bond motions since COVID-19

Public Defender Amy Campanelli has tried to get more than 3,000 detainees released from the jail since the coronavirus outbreak began in March. State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s office has contested more than 2,500 of them.

by John Seasly May 18, 2020January 8, 2024

Illinois Prisons

Stateville prison reopens decrepit ‘F-House’ to hold inmates with COVID-19

About 70 men are being quarantined in Stateville prison’s notorious roundhouse, which was closed after being criticized for its poor conditions and “inhumane” design.

by Jonah Newman May 12, 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

Illinois Prisons

Hundreds of Illinois prisoners released as COVID-19 spreads, but few elderly see reprieve

The Illinois Department of Corrections has begun utilizing a once controversial tool to release hundreds of inmates using sentencing credits. But the releases have not been uniform across the state.

by Emily Hoerner May 6, 2020January 8, 2024

Open letter to Chicago’s top cop: COVID-19 police ‘surge’ terrorizing West Side black communities

Organizer Richard Wallace says the police department is using force to make black residents follow stay-at-home orders, “regardless of the circumstance.”

by Richard Wallace May 1, 2020December 5, 2023

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