Illinois Prisoner Review Board Articles

Problems of Prisoner Review Board go beyond voting records, attorney writes

The author, an attorney active in prison reform, writes, “The only thing worse than the way parole works in Illinois is to have no parole.”

by Rick TulskyAugust 2, 2018December 5, 2023

Parole and Clemency

Records of Illinois parole board show just how rarely inmates win release

Getting voting records of the members of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board dating back to 2013 was no easy task. Those records reveal a system in which aging prisoners locked up at least 40 years have almost no chance of winning support for their release from the board members, a majority of whom have denied about four of every five cases.

by Emily Hoerner and Jeanne Kuang July 27, 2018December 5, 2023

Judicial Conduct

Judge: Cook County judicial corruption did not affect 1977 murder trial

A Cook County Circuit Court judge Wednesday denied to grant a new trial to a man who contends his conviction on charges he murdered a plainclothes Chicago police officer in 1976 was wrongly decided by a judge who sought to divert attention from his own corruption.

by Emily Hoerner and Jeanne Kuang January 24, 2018December 5, 2023

Parole and Clemency

Rauner appointee, accused of ethics violations, removed from Illinois board

Illinois Prisoner Review Board member John Clough was removed from the board amidst allegations he used a racial slur as a sheriff’s deputy and committed state ethics violations.

by Jeanne Kuang and Emily Hoerner January 24, 2018December 5, 2023

Parole and Clemency

Rauner appointee to Illinois board accused of racial slurs, ethics violations

Newly released public documents regarding board member John W. Clough appear to show that he submitted inaccurate financial disclosure forms to the state, conducted electioneering with a state-issued vehicle, and was overheard using a derogatory racial slur as a deputy.

by Emily Hoerner and Jeanne Kuang December 19, 2017December 5, 2023

The Long Wait

Attorneys: Cook County judge’s corruption polluted his handling of murder case

In 1977, a judge convicted an 18-year old of murder and sentenced him to 200-to-600 years in prison. Forty years later, the prisoners’ attorneys contend the trial and sentencing were an improper effort by a corrupt judge to dilute public criticism.

by Emily Hoerner and Jeanne Kuang November 29, 2017December 5, 2023

The Long Wait

For sixth time, Illinois board rejects parole for man convicted of 1976 murders

Larry Kurina was once paroled for the double murder he committed in 1976, while a minor. But since his parole was violated in 1976 following an arrest for possessing stolen tools, the Illinois Prison Review Board has denied Kurina a second chance. Thursday the outcome was no different.

by Emily Hoerner and Jeanne Kuang November 16, 2017December 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

The Long Wait

With little hope left of parole, inmates look to the courts for release

After all but giving up hope of release by the agency tasked with considering their parole, two inmates are searching for other ways out of prison.

by Emily Hoerner and Jeanne Kuang October 2, 2017January 30, 2024

The Long Wait

No more chances: An inmate’s plea for another shot

In 1993, Larry Kurina was paroled by the Illinois Prisoner Review Board after serving roughly 17 years for murder. After pleading guilty to a low-level felony in 2005, he has been back in custody since.

by Emily Hoerner and Jeanne Kuang October 2, 2017January 30, 2024

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