Perspectives
Felony murder: Charging black teens for their friend’s death is a crime
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An archaic law that even its originators no longer use is especially harsh in Illinois.
Perspectives: The Powers That Be
Four prison reform initiatives to watch on Re-entry Day in Illinois
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Lawmakers and advocates are pushing to limit solitary confinement and improve the health care, political representation and voting rights of state prisoners.
Perspectives: The Powers That Be
How Lori Lightfoot got Chicago that elusive casino
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Questions of location and revenue remain as Illinois passes a huge gambling expansion bill.
Government and Politics
Police in Illinois will permanently have to record race, other traffic stop data in new bill
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The Illinois Traffic Stop Study — launched 15 years ago under legislation sponsored by then-State Sen. Barack Obama — would have ended on June 30.
college going
States – not just Congress – should unlock student financial aid for people in prison
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The federal government isn’t the only one that has banned student financial aid to prisoners. Many states have enacted their own bans as well, new research shows.
Economic Development
Illinois bill aims to curb alternative energy scams by forcing transparency
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Critics say deregulation has allowed energy resellers to dupe consumers into paying an estimated $600 million extra in recent years rather than lowering bills.
Criminal Justice
Misinformation impedes voting rights of Illinois’ formerly incarcerated
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Illinois is among the few states where formerly incarcerated regain their voting rights after release, but many are misinformed and unaware.
Criminal Justice
Report: Doctors at Illinois youth prison gave kids antipsychotic medication for common behavioral problems
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Juveniles with conduct disorder and ADHD were prescribed Seroquel, a powerful antipsychotic drug that causes sedation and weight gain and has a high potential for abuse.
election 2018
Midterm elections: A judge is ousted and Democrats win big across the state
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For the first time since 1990, Cook County voters refused to retain a sitting judge.
Perspectives: The Powers That Be
Now Pritzker needs to keep his progressive promises
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J.B. Pritzker won a resounding victory by outspending Gov. Bruce Rauner at every turn, downplaying ethical questions and racial tensions in his campaign, and presenting a clear alternative to Rauner’s failed incumbency. In a number of areas he took positions that were more progressive than the Democratic mainstream. But getting results on those promises will take lots of work on his part and even more organizing by activists. One key issue separated the two candidates: Pritzker was elected on a clear platform of implementing a progressive income tax, with higher rates for wealthier taxpayers. That’s an absolute necessity if Illinois is to get it’s fiscal house in order, meet its constitutional duty to fund schools adequately, and rebuild a safety net that Rauner decimated.