Illinois lawmakers hear testimony for marijuana legalization proposals
Illinois lawmakers hear testimony for marijuana legalization proposals
Two bills to legalize marijuana currently sit in Springfield.
Rauner signs bill to establish sexual assault evidence tracking system
Rauner signs bill to establish sexual assault evidence tracking system
A new law to create a commission to develop a statewide system to track evidence in sexual assault cases could result in swifter justice for crime victims and increased accountability and transparency in the criminal justice system.
Rauner signs bills to expand criminal record sealing and juvenile record expungement
Rauner signs bills to expand criminal record sealing and juvenile record expungement
The new laws will make it easier for ex-offenders re-enter their communities.
Rauner signs bill to end arrests for being seen with alleged gang members
Rauner signs bill to end arrests for being seen with alleged gang members
House Bill 3803 changes Illinois’ criminal code so that people on parole and probation no longer have to fear arrest for merely having contact with gang members.
Could this court be the future of criminal justice in Illinois?
Could this court be the future of criminal justice in Illinois?
The Illinois Department of Corrections pays nearly $22,000 in direct costs per inmate.
Cards Against Humanity contributes to Illinois marijuana legalization effort
Cards Against Humanity contributes to Illinois marijuana legalization effort
The popular Chicago-based game company is helping efforts to legalize and regulate marijuana, which could extend to Illinois.
Illinois’ first restorative justice court will save money, improve outcomes
Illinois’ first restorative justice court will save money, improve outcomes
Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood will host a program that brings defendants in contact with their victims and allow the victims to set the compensation for the crime.
Trump administration undermines Illinois civil asset forfeiture reforms
Trump administration undermines Illinois civil asset forfeiture reforms
The reinstatement of a federal asset forfeiture program marks a step backward for civil asset forfeiture reform.
Cook County judge unveils change to cash bail
Cook County judge unveils change to cash bail
Reforms in Cook County and in Illinois make pretrial release possible for nondangerous defendants with little money for bail.
Illinois bill would legalize sale, production of hemp
Illinois bill would legalize sale, production of hemp
Senate Bill 1294 creates the Industrial Hemp Act, which would require licensing for “any person desiring to grow, process, cultivate, harvest, process, possess, sell, or purchase industrial hemp or industrial hemp related products must be licensed by the Department of Agriculture.”
Illinois legislature passes civil asset forfeiture reform
Illinois legislature passes civil asset forfeiture reform
Civil asset forfeiture reform has now cleared the Illinois General Assembly.
Negligent hiring liability reforms stall in Illinois
Negligent hiring liability reforms stall in Illinois
With the right liability reforms, Illinois can protect businesses and make them more likely to give ex-offenders a chance at employment. Unfortunately, a bill that would have made this reform a reality stalled in the Illinois House of Representatives this session.
Illinois lawmakers pass record sealing expansion
Illinois lawmakers pass record sealing expansion
Both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly have now passed a measure to enable more ex-offenders to petition a court to seal their criminal records. This will help former inmates gain access to employment – and stay out of prison.
Veterans courts heal scars we can’t see
Veterans courts heal scars we can’t see
This Memorial Day, we honor those who have fallen. Let’s not forget to extend a hand up to those who remain.