Illinois legislature Articles

Little hope of release for more than 160 Illinois juvenile offenders

Across the country, juvenile offenders are being released from prison based on recognition that human brains continue to develop for the first two and a half decades of life. Nevertheless in Illinois, many who commit crimes as teenagers are likely destined to die in custody.

by Emily Hoerner and Jeanne Kuang May 6, 2018January 30, 2024

Police

After criticism, Ill. state rep drops bill limiting access to police records

The sponsor of an Illinois House of Representatives bill that would have drastically cut public access to police records—including in cases of officer misconduct—killed the bill Thursday after searing opposition from civil rights and open government advocates, including the ACLU and the state attorney general’s office. The bill was prompted by a request from the city of Chicago Heights.

by Mari Cohen April 26, 2018December 5, 2023

The Long Wait

New bill would offer chance at parole for youthful offenders

The Illinois House of Representatives is considering a bill that would give young offenders the opportunity for parole. Despite earlier hopes of advocates, the bill would give the decision to the Prisoner Review Board, an agency whose decisions, an Injustice Watch review found, are often inconsistent and arbitrary.

by Emily Hoerner and Jeanne Kuang October 5, 2017December 5, 2023

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