Work over prison: Illinois should expand record sealing
Work over prison: Illinois should expand record sealing
Research shows that recidivism rates drop for ex-offenders who are able to find steady employment.
Legislation would allow people convicted of cannabis offenses to petition for expungement if Illinois legalizes marijuana
Legislation would allow people convicted of cannabis offenses to petition for expungement if Illinois legalizes marijuana
A proposed amendment to Illinois’ Criminal Identification Act would allow people to petition to have their arrest and conviction records cleared of any cannabis-related offenses that Illinois ultimately takes off the books through marijuana legalization.
Poll shows ‘large majorities’ of Illinois voters support legalizing marijuana
Poll shows ‘large majorities’ of Illinois voters support legalizing marijuana
Illinoisans of all ages, political party affiliations and regions of the state favor legalizing marijuana and regulating and taxing it like alcohol, as provided in legislation proposed by state Rep. Kelly Cassidy on March 22.
Illinois lawmaker proposes legislation to legalize marijuana
Illinois lawmaker proposes legislation to legalize marijuana
Under state Rep. Kelly Cassidy’s proposal, Illinoisans age 21 and older could legally possess, manufacture and sell marijuana.
3 reasons why raising felony theft thresholds is a better way to deal with theft
3 reasons why raising felony theft thresholds is a better way to deal with theft
Illinois spent $58 million in 2015 to imprison offenders charged with felony theft. But evidence shows increasing the threshold, as 29 other states have done since 2001, doesn’t increase property crime or larceny rates.
Questions of Justice: The Nicarico Murder Case
Questions of Justice: The Nicarico Murder Case
Illinois is home to the nation's sixth-highest rate of wrongful convictions. The story of Aurora's Rolando Cruz is one harrowing example.
Making Illinois smart on crime: How to improve felony theft outcomes
Making Illinois smart on crime: How to improve felony theft outcomes
Raising the felony theft threshold won't lead to an increase in overall property crime or larceny rates.
6 highlights from Illinois criminal justice commission’s final report
6 highlights from Illinois criminal justice commission’s final report
The criminal justice commission’s recommendations work toward providing more opportunity for ex-offenders and reducing the state’s prison population.
Leave your 13-year-old home alone? Police can take him into custody under Illinois law
Leave your 13-year-old home alone? Police can take him into custody under Illinois law
Common sense tells us most 13-year olds are perfectly capable of staying home alone after school while their parent is at work, but in Illinois, common sense isn’t the law.
Illinois’ executive clemency record proves need for sealing reform
Illinois’ executive clemency record proves need for sealing reform
Illinois governors don’t just pass on debt to their successors – they also leave behind a backlog of petitions for clemency.
Bill to give ex-offenders access to state-issued IDs goes to Rauner’s desk
Bill to give ex-offenders access to state-issued IDs goes to Rauner’s desk
Senate Bill 3368 will ensure former inmates leaving Illinois’ prisons have state-issued identification, which will assist their re-entry into their communities and make it easier for them to apply for jobs or housing.
Addressing criminal justice through Adult Redeploy saved IL $76 million from 2011-2015
Addressing criminal justice through Adult Redeploy saved IL $76 million from 2011-2015
The state initiative has both saved taxpayer money and given offenders the opportunity to break the cycle of incarceration.
Ex-offenders less likely to quit their jobs, no more likely to be fired than other employees
Ex-offenders less likely to quit their jobs, no more likely to be fired than other employees
Although a new study by Northwestern University researchers shows ex-offenders can make good hires, obstacles such as negligent-hiring liability hinder employers willing to give ex-offenders a chance.
Asset forfeiture in Illinois: What it is, where it happens, and reforms the state needs
Asset forfeiture in Illinois: What it is, where it happens, and reforms the state needs
Most people expect Illinois law enforcement to defend the private property of Illinois residents. As long as you obey the law, your life, liberty and property should be secure from the law – or so common sense would suggest. Yet, every year, Illinois law enforcement agencies take tens of millions of dollars in cash, vehicles,...