Criminal Justice
The investigative reporters on WBEZ’s criminal justice desk tell the stories of the thousands of individuals churning through the legal systems every year in Chicago, Cook County and Illinois and hold to account the powerful officials in charge of those systems. Covering policing, jails and prisons, gun violence and solutions to it, WBEZ’s Criminal Justice team works to bring understanding to some of the most difficult problems facing our region.
The 911 caller and his partner told the Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ that Samantha Steele, a Democratic member of the Cook County Board of Review, tried to flee the scene of the Nov. 11 crash before police arrived — but her car was too damaged to drive.
Judge Thomas E. Nowinski isn’t hearing domestic violence cases due to threats, Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans said Tuesday.
Including pensions, benefits, budget-busting overtime and other hidden expenses, the analyst reports that city costs for CPD in 2025 could reach $3.8 billion.
Illinois Supreme Court rules that a second case by a special prosecutor violated Smollett’s rights after he’d already fulfilled the requirements of a plea deal on the same charges.
Drug-soaked paper is making its way into Illinois prisons, causing overdoses and staff safety concerns. But banning it could pose legal issues.
The outgoing state’s attorney says she still has wounds from breaking the glass ceiling, but she’s proud of her choices.
Michael Broadway, 51, died months before a judge ordered Stateville prison vacated. A new lawsuit aims to hold the state accountable.
The lawsuit comes after a WBEZ investigation found serious problems with record keeping and implementation. It could affect hundreds of incarcerated people.
Raoul joins a chorus of reforms advocates who have sounded the alarm about Johnson’s proposal to gut the police units vital to getting Chicago out from under a federal consent decree.
His recommended Chicago Police Department budget continues the age-old Chicago practice of undercounting legal fees and payouts.
“The proposed budget cuts would be a step backward for the CPD reform process at a pivotal point,” said Maggie Hickey, the monitor tracking compliance with a federal consent decree.