2026

Illinois Senate race: Juliana Stratton, F-bomb ads behind her, leans on primary performance versus Don Tracy, Chicago Tribune, 10.11.26

Cook County Board Defers Resolution Calling for Independent Review of State’s Largest Jail, Illinois Answers Project, 9.22.26

Escapes. Fires. Rebellions.Trove of records reveals chaos inside Illinois county jails., Illinois Answers Project, 9.15.26

Unsanitary, unsupervised, understaffed: Most Illinois jails aren’t meeting minimum state standards, Illinois Answers Project, 9.15.16

Dozens of deaths in Illinois jails missing from state records, Illinois Answers Project, 9.15.26

Illinois Prisons Move to Restrict Access to Electronic Tablets for Those in Solitary Confinement, WTTW, 8.31.26

States Claim to Invest in “Humane” New Prisons — But Prisons Were Never Humane, Truthout, 8.22.26

You know, it might be helpful if prisoners were able to receive sex offender treatment before they’re released back to the street, Capitol Fax, 8/17/26

Calls increasing for heavier IDOC oversight, The Center Square, 8/5/26

I lived in the women’s prison slated for closure, Chicago Reader, 8/5/26

Illinois Lawmakers Decry Prison’s ‘Gut-Wrenching,’ ‘Heartbreaking’ Conditions, The Marshall Project, 8.4.26

John Howard Association breaks down recent survey from Logan Correctional Center, WAND News, 7.24.26

A deep dive into conditions at Logan Correctional Center, Capitol City NOW, 7.24.26

Survey: Women at Logan Correctional say prison is understaffed, unsanitary, WAND News, 7.23.26

Report: Logan Correctional Center is unsafe, inhumane, Capitol City NOW, 7.23.26

Advocate calls for stronger IDOC oversight after payroll fraud guilty plea, The Center Square, 7.16.26

Advocate calls for stronger IDOC oversight after payroll fraud guilty plea, The Hometown Register, 7.16.26

Illinois prison healthcare still poor as state goes 1 year without long-term medical provider, NPR, 7.14.26

How to Move a Prison: Former Prisoners Give Their Tips on Avoiding a “Sh*t Show”, MindSite News, 7.7.26

Illinois prison healthcare still poor as state goes 1 year without long-term medical provider, Chicago Sun-Times, 7.7.26

Illinois prison healthcare still poor as state goes 1 year without long-term medical provider, WBEZ Chicago, 7.7.26

Former Sangamon County deputy Sean Grayson seeks medical release, NBC 13 WREX, 7.3.26

Former Sangamon County deputy Sean Grayson seeks medical release, 25 News Now, 7.3.26

Former Sangamon County deputy Sean Grayson seeks medical release, IPM News, 7.2.26

Former Sangamon County deputy Sean Grayson seeks medical release, Capitol News Illinois, 7.2.26

Former Sangamon County deputy Sean Grayson seeks medical release, NPR Illinois 91.9 UIS, 7.2.26

Illinois ‘Homes for Good Act’ would expand housing for people leaving prison, mystateline.com, 4.20.26

Reentry housing bill draws support from advocates; debate centers on cost, public safety, The Center Square, 4.19.26

Illinois Prison Officials Digitized Mail to Stop Contraband, But New Data Shows Little Results So Far, WTTW, 4.16.26

Illinois Lawmakers Grill Department of Corrections After Audit Shows Dozens of Failures, U.S. News & World Report, 4.15.26

Lawmakers grill Department of Corrections after audit shows dozens of failures, NPR Illinois, 4.15.26

Illinois lawmakers grill Department of Corrections after audit shows dozens of failures, ABC WQAD8, 4.14.26

Lawmakers grill Department of Corrections after audit shows dozens of failures, Capitol News Illinois, 4.14.26

Illinois Department of Corrections Launches New Educational Content Portal on Tablets, Illinois.gov, 4.7.26

Grandmother’s Handwritten Letter Saved Me From Self-Destruction by Anthony Thomas and David Staples, Stateville Speaks, Winter 2026 issue

WATCH: DAY IN & DAY OUT — As Illinois spends $900 million on new prisons, people coming home invest in art instead, Medill Reports Chicago, 3.26.26

OTL #1,014: Peer support in prisons, New music from The Meadowlark Lemons, EdiblEats, WGN Radio’s Outside the Loop, 3.21.26

Advocates Push to Expand Earned Sentence Credits, Chicago Reporter, 3.5.26

Report: Peer support programs in prison could help fill health care gaps, Chicago Sun-Times, 3.4.26

Truth-in-sentencing costs Illinois thousands of years — and billions of dollars, Chicago Reporter, 2.19.26

INMATE DEAD, FOUR INJURED IN PINCKNEYVILLE PRISON STABBING; CALLS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY GROW, WFIW 104.9, 2.13.26

Illinois Lawmaker Demands Answers After Prison Stabbing Leaves 1 Dead, 4 Injured, ABC WSIL-TV, 2.12.26

2025

MORE

Lawmakers, reform advocates call for more oversight of prison health care, NPR Illinois, 12.23.25

Lawmakers, reform advocates call for more oversight of prison health care, Chicago Sun Times, 12.18.25

Lawmakers, reform advocates call for more oversight of prison health care, WBEZ, 12.18.25

Prison Lockdowns Increase Risk of Violence, Prison Journalism Project, 12.5.25

Healthcare in Prisons and Jails in the State of Illinois, Future Justice Lawyers of Chicago, October 2025

Aging and Dying in Prison: Perspectives from Prison Oversight, International Corrections & Prisons Association, Issue 12, October 2025

Adapting prison surveys to different cultural settings: Challenges and lessons, Sage Journals, 10.28.25

Illinois Lawmaker Wants to Help Federal Immigration Officials ID Undocumented People in State Custody, WTTW, 10.24.25

Illinois Prisons Will Now Scan Physical Mail Sent to Incarcerated People, WTTW, 9.29.25

Illinois prison mail scanning rule faces lawmaker scrutiny, Advantage News, 9.18.25

Illinois Lawmakers wondering why IDOC enacted emergency rule for prison mail, ABC7 WSIL-TV, 9.17.25

WATCH: Illinois prison mail scanning rule faces lawmaker scrutiny, The Center Square, 9.16.25

OTL #987: Trying to avoid the transit fiscal cliff + new “emergency” rules for prison communication, WGN Radio, 9.13.25 (JHA portion starts at 28 minutes)

Eye On Illinois: Mail hold for inmates also a separation of powers exercise, Shaw Local, 9.13.25

Under emergency rule, Illinois prisons begin withholding physical mail, WJBC Radio, 9.11.15

Banning printed materials: IDOC seeks emergency ruling, citing contraband crackdown, Illinois Times, 9.11.25

Under emergency rule, Illinois prisons begin withholding physical mail, Capitol News Illinois, 9.10.25

“ICE launches deportation “blitz” in Chicago. Plus: city officials evict unhoused residents from Legion Park, IDOC wants to ban most physical mail, and more.”, Chicago Reader, 9.10.25

Ill. prisons adopt emergency mail-scanning rules to curb contraband, Corrections 1, 9.9.25

Illinois quick hits: Madigan attempts another appeal; prison mail scanning rules proposed, The Center Square, 9.4.25

Under Emergency Rule, Illinois Prisons Plan to Withhold Physical Mail in Favor of Electronic Scanning, WTTW, 9.3.25

Illinois prison officials allowed to scan incoming mail amid reports they are tainted by chemicals and drugs, Chicago Tribune, 9.3.25

Illinois prison officials allowed to scan incoming mail amid reports they are tainted by chemicals and drugs, Union-Bulletin, 9.3.25

Sen. Plummer touts new prison reporting guidelines, Advantage News, 8.25.25

Illinois prisons to publish annual data on contraband, safety and overdoses, The Center Square, 8.22.25

Illinois prisons to publish annual data on contraband, safety and overdoses, Eastern Progress, 8.22.25

What Happens During a Prison Lockdown? With Illinois Seeing Historic Highs, We Asked Incarcerated People, WTTW, 8.20.25

Transparency on how contraband enters prisons to increase thanks to Guzmán, illinoisstatedemocrats.com, 8.15.25

IDOC’s controversial health care provider is out. Will inmates finally receive the care they need?, The Chicago Reporter, 7.24.25

Why Closing Prisons — Even Bad Ones — Is Complicated, The Marshall Project, 7.19.25

Illinois is changing prison health care providers, WGN Radio, 7.16.25

After years of poor care, preventable deaths, Illinois is changing its prison health care provider, WBEZ, 7.16.25

After years of poor care, preventable deaths, Illinois is changing its prison health care provider, Chicago Sun-Times, 7.16.25

A prison watchdog group is warning about summer temperatures in Illinois prisons | First Listen, NRP Illinois, 6.16.25

What it means to be a good dad — from inside a prison cell, WBEZ’s Prisoncast!, 6.14.25

What it’s like to graduate from college while inside an Illinois prison, Chicago Sun Times, 5.31.25

Augustana Prison Education Program held its first commencement ceremony within the East Moline Correctional Center on May 27th, WVIK, 5.29.25

New uniforms, same abuses: Accounts of a tactical team shakedown in an Illinois prison, The Chicago Reporter, 5.29.25

APEP, Augustana celebrate ‘transitional milestone’ at EMCC, Quad Cities Regional Business Journal, 5.28.25

4 graduate college program at correctional center: ‘You are more than your conviction’, KWQC, 5.27.25

Savings from shuttering Stateville’s maximum security prison minimal as reception center grows, Chicago Tribune, 5.23.25

Why juveniles pick up a gun, and how a community can intervene, WGLT, 5.21.25

Lockdowns, Staffing Shortages at Illinois Prisons Leads to Visit Cancellations, WTTW, 5.12.25

Lawmakers tried to reform Illinois’ food system. Here’s why it failed., Investigate Midwest, 5.8.25

Panel at Heartland explores the psychological toll of prison and post-prison life, WGLT, 4.18.25

Segregation, Restraints and Mace: Lawsuit Alleges Mental Illness Met With Punishment in Illinois Prisons, WTTW, 4.16.25

Guzmán measure increasing transparency on how contraband enters prisons passes Senate, Illinoisstatedemocrats.com, 4.10.25

Bill could ensure Illinois prisoners receive physical mail, collect data on mail restriction, 25 News Now, 3.19.25

Guzmán initiative to create transparency on how contraband enters prisons, Illinoisstatedemocrats.com, 3.18.25

Illinois Pitches Two New Prisons as a Way to Modernize and Address Aging Facilities. Some Advocates Aren’t Sold, WTTW, 3.10.25

Interview with Jennifer Vollen-Katz, Community Unity Now TV, 2.19.25

Paper Mail Is Seen as a Source for Drugs in Illinois Prisons. How Is It Tracked?, WTTW, 2.3.25

'Hickory Street Killer' faces new murder charges after man found dead in his prison cell, ABC7 Chicago, 1.23.25

QCBJ Newsmakers: Staples thrives in grad school, more inmates work to graduate, Quad Cities Regional Business Journal, 1.16.25

Peters measure to increase transparency in solitary confinement practices passes Senate, Illinois State Democrats, 1.6.25

Outside the Loop #951: Local education issues in 2025, Illinois corrections programs that work, New music from Poi Dog Pondering, WGN Radio 720, 1.4.25 (JHA portion begins at 17:09)

Advocates and Educators call on Illinois to restore monetary award program for incarcerated students, The Chicago Crusader, 1.3.25

2024

MORE

John Howard Association working to erase Illinois justice-involved disparities, The Center Square, 12/30/24

Prisoncast! holiday show, WBEZ, 12/22/24 (JHA portion is approx. 3/4 of the way through the show)

IL justice-involved study shows demographic imbalance, Public News Service, 12/23/24

New nightmare: No arrest after man found dead in cell with 2013 'Nightmare on Hickory Street' killer, ABC7 Eyewitness News, 12/16/24

Amid Concerns Over Paper, Illinois Prisons Would Be Able to Electronically Scan Mail Under New Contract, WTTW, 12/10/24

Newsradio WJPF interview with Jenny Vollen-Katz (topic of juvenile justice), WJPF, 12/3/24

For ex-Stateville inmates, prison transfers mean disruption, separation from families, Chicago Tribune, 12/2/24

IDOC planning mail changes following drug exposure increase in prisons, WCIA.com, 11/22/24

IDOC planning mail changes following drug exposure increase in prisons, Yahoo!news, 11/22/24

IL Department of Corrections quiet after lawmakers address drug-infused mail, The Center Square, 11/20/24

A New Report Calling Attention to the Ongoing Staffing Crisis in IL State Prisons, CIL-FM, 10/28/24

Outside the Loop #941: A crisis in Illinois prisons, Educational attainment of CPS students, The Secret History of Nick Gravenites, WGN Radio, 10/26/24

Prison watchdog: Understaffing impacting mental health of inmates, staffers, Cities 92.9FM, 10/25/24

Prison watchdog: Understaffing impacting mental health of inmates, staffers, The Center Square, 10/25/24

Understaffing at Illinois Prisons Increases Lockdowns, Impacts Mental Health: Watchdog Report, WTTW, 10/22/24

In Illinois, a Private Prison Company’s Long Trail of Deaths and High-Dollar Contracts, Bolts, 10/3/24

Stateville Employees Union Trying To Get Assurances From The State To Rebuild On Current Site, WJOL 1340, 10/1/24

Stateville prison almost empty after state moves quickly to comply with court order, Chicago Tribune, 9/30/24

Ill. prison almost empty after state moves quickly to comply with court order, Corrections 1, 9/30/24

The Ghost of Attica 53 years later, inhumane prison system haunts America, The Final Call, 9/23/24

As Stateville Prison Nears Closure, Advocates Raise Concerns About Long-Lasting Impacts on Workers and Incarcerated Men, Black Voices, WTTW, 9/4/24

Stateville Closure segment (starts at 4:34), Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, WTTW, 9/4/24

Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice to receive young adult transfers from Illinois Department of Corrections to provide high school educational services, IDJJ Press Release, 8/15/24

Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice to receive young adult transfers from Illinois Department of Corrections to provide high school educational services, myradiolink.com, 8/15/24

Stateville Prison slated for closure this fall, advantagenews.com, 8/14/24

South Carolina Court Upheld Brittany Martin’s 4-Year Sentence for Protesting, Capital B News, 8/14/24

Illinois legislator raises concerns about court order to close Stateville prison, The Center Square, 8/12/24

Illinois quick hits: Report on Harrisburg youth center; child labor law updates, The Center Square, 7/30/24

Inmate’s death during heat wave ramps up criticism of conditions at Stateville, Chicago Tribune, 6/26/24

Advisory Board Says Pritzker’s Plan to Close, Rebuild 2 Illinois Prisons ‘Far From Shovel-Ready’, WTTW, 6/14/24

Cook County Jail’s deadliest year in decades reveals repeated lapses and failed oversight, Injustice Watch, 6/12/24

At Stateville Closure Hearing, Agreement Over Poor Conditions Yet Questions Remain on Path Forward, WTTW, 6/12/24

Plans to Raze and Replace Stateville Prison Gets Public Hearing, WJOL 1340, 6/12/24

Plans to raze and replace Stateville prison get public hearing, The Centre Square, 6/11/24

Plans to raze and replace Stateville prison get public hearing, Cities 92.9, 6/11/24

FEATURED JURISDICTION: A Model of Correctional Oversight in the United States, International Corrections & Prisons Association Issue 11, 6/7/24

Advocates underscore need for statewide reentry programs, Capitol News Illinois, 5/23/24

95 cases of sexual abuse by state employees at Illinois juvenile detention centers, The 21st Show on Illinois Public Radio, 5/13/24

Watchdog describes what led to years of abuse in Illinois juvenile detention centers, CBS News, 5/7/24

School’s Out, Front and Center, the newsletter of the Center for Criminal Justice at Loyola University Chicago, 5/7/24

He's the Mayor of a Tiny Illinois Town — But Lawsuit Claims He's Sex Abuser Who Preyed on Incarcerated Boys, People, 5/6/24

Ill. plans to consolidate women’s prisons in $1B rebuilding effort, Corrections 1, 5/5/24

IDOC favors relocating Logan County Correctional Center to Will County, 25News Now, 4/29/24

Logan women’s prison would be moved to Stateville site under IDOC proposal, Chicago Tribune, 4/29/24

Logan women’s prison would be moved to Stateville site under IDOC proposal, Quad-City Times, 4/29/24

Proposal Would Demolish and Rebuild 2 Illinois Prisons a Review Found Not Suitable for Use, WTTW, 3/25/24

Correcting Stateville Correction Center's critical problems: 'Decrepit, unsafe, and inhumane', ABC7 News, 3/20/24

IL Stateville prison 'decrepit, unsafe, and inhumane,' watchdog says, ABC7 News, 3/20/24

Plan to rebuild Stateville, Logan prisons brings mixed reaction, The Center Square, 3/18/24

Pritzker Announces $900M Plan to Demolish, Rebuild Stateville and Logan Prisons, WTTW, 3/15/24

Plan to rebuild Stateville prison provokes varied reactions from unions, local politicians, Chicago Tribune, 3/15/24

Stateville prison to be demolished and rebuilt, Gov. Pritzker announces, Shaw Local Herald-News, 3/15/24

Stateville among two prisons to be rebuilt, governor says, Audacy WBBM News Radio, 3/15/24

Gov. JB Pritzker announces $900 million plan to demolish Stateville and Logan prisons, WBEZ, 3/15/24

Illinois to demolish, rebuild Stateville prison, Gov. Pritzker announces, NBC News5, 3/15/24

Pritzker prison reconstruction plan blasted by AFSCME, but praised by prominent prison reform group, Capitol Fax, 3/15/24

Prison reform advocates deliver letters to Springfield, Jacksonville Journal-Courier, 3/12/24

MacArthur's Big Bets Are Winding Down. What Impact Did They Have? And What Happens Now?, Inside Philanthropy, 2/15/24

Several northern Illinois juvenile detention centers non-compliant in education & discipline, WNIJ Northern Country Radio, 2/5/24

Outside the Loop #902: Quality of Life in State Prisons, WGN Radio, 1/27/24

Despite ‘Lack of Progress’ Toward Consent Decree, IDOC Awards New $4B Contract to Same Private Health Care Provider, WTTW, 1/25/24

16th District Organizations Receive Nearly $1.5 Million in Starting Block Grants, The Southland Journal, 1/17/24

Ill. county stepping up recruitment efforts to address jail staffing crisis, Corrections 1, 1/12/24

Lake County stepping up recruitment efforts to address jail ‘staffing crisis’; ‘They don’t feel as if their profession is ... getting the respect’, Chicago Tribune, 1/11/24

Lake County stepping up recruitment efforts to address jail ‘staffing crisis’; ‘They don’t feel as if their profession is ... getting the respect’, Yahoo! Finance, 1/11/24

2023

MORE

New laws will impact Illinois prisoners, Advantage News, 12/30/23

New Laws for Illinois Prisoners Set to Go Into Effect Starting Jan. 1, The Southland Journal, 12/26/23

Sheriff Dart, Illinois Secretary Of State Giannoulias Partner To Provide State ID Cards To Individuals Leaving Cook County Jail, The Times Weekly, 12/23/23

New State ID Program for Cook County Jail Detainees Aims to “Help People Reintegrate”, River, River Cities’ Reader, 12/13/23

'Smart investment': Local watchdog applauds Cook County Jail's state ID program, WBBM News Radio, 12/12/23

New program provides state IDs to Cook County jail inmates upon release, NBC Chicago, 12/11/23

New state ID program for Cook County Jail detainees aims to ‘help people reintegrate’, WBEZ, 12/11/23

WATCH: Illinois Secretary of State to offer ID’s to those leaving Cook County Jail, CIProud, 12/11/23

New pilot program provides Cook County inmate with state ID cards, WJBC, 12/11/23

Pioneering ID Initiative for Cook County Jail Inmates to Facilitate Reintegration in Chicago, Hoodline, 12/11/23

New state ID program for Cook County Jail detainees aims to ‘help people reintegrate’, Fox 32, 12/11/23

New state ID program for Cook County Jail detainees aims to ‘help people reintegrate’, Chicago Sun-Times, 12/11/23

A reality check on Illinois prisons, The 21st Show, Illinois Public Media, 11/27/23

Inside Illinois’ Alarming ‘Youth Lockups’, Village Free Press, 11/15/23

The death of an FCI Pekin inmate generates concern for inmate safety, 25News WEEK, 11/9/23

Most juvenile detention centers in Illinois are failing to meet state standards, Injustice Watch, 11/9/23

Inside Illinois’ youth lockups, children go without basic services and face “excessive” punishments, Capitol News Illinois, 11/8/23

Inside Illinois’ Youth Lockups, Children Go Without Basic Services and Face “Excessive” Punishments, ProPublica, 11/8/23

Inside Illinois’ Youth Lockups, Children Go Without Basic Services and Face ‘Excessive’ Punishments, WTTW, 11/8/23

Senator Karina Villa Receives Legislator of The Year Award, West Chicago Voice, 10/25/23

ANOTHER VIEW: Dying, disabled prisoners who aren’t a threat shouldn’t be kept behind bars, Daily Journal, 9/14/23

Editorial Roundup: Illinois, U.S. News & World Report, 9/11/23

Got a loved one in an Illinois prison? Check out these resources, WBEZ, 9/8/23

Dying, disabled prisoners who aren’t a threat shouldn’t be kept behind bars, Chicago Sun-Times, 9/5/23

Illinois state prisons have $2.5 billion in deferred maintenance, report finds, The Centre Square, 8/1/23

Illinois state prisons have $2.5 billion in deferred maintenance, report finds, The Hometown Register, 8/1/23

Illinois prisons need $2.5 billion in repairs, and that’s just the beginning, WCBU 89.9FM/NPR, 7/25/23

Illinois prisons need $2.5 billion in repairs, and that’s just the beginning, WBEZ, 7/24/23

Prominent New Orleans developer calls proposed new prison wing "not smart", WWL-TV, 7/7/23

Plan for New Orleans prison wing called, "inhumane;" "ineffective;" "chaotic", WWL-TV, 7/6/23

Despite horror stories and deaths, will Illinois keep expensive prison health care company?, WBEZ, 7/6/23

Despite horror stories and deaths, will Illinois keep expensive prison health care company?, NPR, 7/6/23

Despite horror stories and deaths, will Illinois keep an expensive prison health care provider?, Chicago Sun-Times, 7/6/23

OTL #871: Transforming Juvenile Justice, WGN Radio, 6/23/23 (JHA portion starts at 6:10)

Juvenile Detention & Justice, International Corrections & Prisons Association’s External Prison Oversight Journal Issue #10, 6/20/23

Civil Commitment Does More Harm Than Good, Truthdig, 5/22/23

Watchdog group says “crumbling” Stateville Correctional Center “inhumane and unsafe”, Capitol Fax, 5/11/23

Two Roads: The Truth In Sentencing Issue Part 1, Kewanee Life Skills Reentry Center, May 2023

Outside of Pontiac Prison’s Walls, Area Residents See the Facility as Important Part of the Community, WTTW, 5/2/23

Inside Pontiac Prison Where Mental Health Issues, Violence, Officer Shortages and Aging Facilities Are Leading to Calls for Reform, WTTW, 5/1/23

Inmates and iPads, Illinois Times, 4/27/23

Cook County Jail officer charged with beating inmate using handcuffs over his knuckles, CBS, 4/19/23

DOC says it will address water woes at Mount Sterling prison, Jacksonville Journal-Courier, 4/19/23

How a FOIA Loophole in Illinois Puts Kids at Risk, Better Government Association, 4/17/23

Illinois officials obtained do-not-resuscitate orders from prisoners who were not of sound mind, WBEZ, 4/4/23

Illinois officials obtained do-not-resuscitate orders from prisoners who were not of sound mind, WGLT/NPR, 4/4/23

Former Illinois prison chief named to head Nebraska Department of Corrections, Nebraska Public Media, 4/4/23

Former Illinois prison chief named to head Nebraska Department of Corrections, Nebraska Examiner, 4/3/23

McGuffin Creative Group Opens Applications for 2023 Nonprofit Design/Marketing Grant, Business Wire, 3/15/23

Director of Illinois Department of Corrections resigns, WGLT NPR, 3/7/23

Illinois Department of Corrections director resigns, Chicago Sun Times, 3/8/23

Director of Illinois Department of Corrections resigns, WBEZ, 3/7/23

Suspect in Ukrainian Village hookah bar shooting was on parole, still at large, CBS, 2/28/23

Mayor Lightfoot Announces Actions to Strengthen Chicago’s Fair Chance Policies and Programs for Returning Residents, City of Chicago, 2/16/23

Mayor Lightfoot announces actions to strengthen Chicago’s Fair Chance policies and program for returning residents, The Crusader, 2/16/23

Here’s what Chicago mayoral candidates had to say about policing and incarceration at Monday’s forum, Tribe, 2/15/23

2022

MORE

Damen Silos sold, SAFE-T Act ruling, recycling Christmas lights, WBEZ’s The Rundown podcast, 12/29/22

The hiring process for people who investigate abuse in Illinois prisons is mismanaged, the state says, Chicago Sun Times, 12/28/22

The hiring process for people who investigate abuse in Illinois prisons is mismanaged, the state says, WBEZ, 12/27/22

As Temperature Drops, Incarcerated People Brace for Dangerously Cold Conditions, Truthout, 12/25/22

Will Illinois legislators change the controversial SAFE-T Act when they meet this week?, Belleville News-Democrat, 11/28/22

SAFE-T Act 2023: Illinois legislators to decide whether to end cash bail, ABC News, 11/25/22

Illinois Legislators to Decide Whether to End Cash Bail, U.S. News & World Report, 11/25/22

Illinois legislators to decide whether to end cash bail, Globe Gazette, 11/25/22

Illinois legislators to decide whether to end cash bail, The Wichita Eagle, 11/25/22

Illinois legislators to decide whether to end cash bail, Richmond Times-Dispatch, 11/25/22

Illinois legislators to decide whether to end cash bail, Plainview Herald, 11/25/22

Future hazy for state work camp in Roodhouse, Jacksonville Courier, 11/9/22

Lying officers unpunished in 2018 inmate death, records show, WBEZ, 11/2/22

Prison health care is only available if you can afford it, PRISM, 10/31/22

Former Illinois prison guards face life in prison for a beating that led to the death of inmate, Chicago Tribune, 10/31/22

Records: Lying Officers Unpunished in 2018 Inmate Death, U.S. News & World Report, 10/30/22

Illinois Department of Corrections Announces Comprehensive College Education in Prison Policy, myradiolink.com, 10/7/22

Illinois Department of Corrections Announces Comprehensive College Education in Prison Policy, Newswires, 10/5/22

More cameras not a simple answer for prisoner security, advocate says, Jacksonville Journal-Courier, 10/1/22

Incarcerated Women in Illinois Win Court Battle Against Brutal “Tactical Team”, Truthout, 8/1/22

Groups call for water infrastructure testing in Illinois prisons, Jacksonville Journey-Courier, 7/29/22

Drinking water in Illinois prisons is a crapshoot, Reader, 7/20/22

Groups call for water infrastructure testing in Illinois prisons, WSIU NPR Public Radio, 7/18/22

Groups Call for Water Infrastructure Testing in IL Prisons, Public News Service, 7/15/22

Judy Guenseth: Treat mental health needs before crimes are committed, Galesburg Register-Mail, 7/11/22

Advocacy groups celebrate reform: New law gives incarcerated people access to IDOC files, Illinois Times, 7/7/22

Shielded From Public View, Misconduct by Corrections Staff in Illinois Prisons Received Scant Discipline, ProPublica, 6/10/22

OTL #814: Living conditions in Illinois prisons, The Secret History of The Devil Bell Hippies, WGN Radio, 5/21/22

The Capital development Board announced more than $46 million to improve and repair state buildings, NPR, 5/16/22

Town Hall meeting regarding Pontiac Correctional Center set up for May 10, Pontiac Daily Leader, 5/5/22

Trial begins for Illinois guards accused of beating a prisoner so severely, he died, NPR, 4/13/22

The Illinois Department of Corrections misled the public on Legionella outbreak at several prisons, Injustice Watch, 4/12/22

The Illinois Department Of Corrections Misled The Public On Legionella Outbreak At Several Prisons, Patch.com, 4/12/22

Why can’t Illinois’ Prisoner Review Board do its job?, Illinois Public Radio, 4/6/22

What’s next for the Illinois parole board?, The Vienna Times, 3/30/22

Scrutiny growing over prisoner release as series of controversial cases putting board, process in spotlight, Jacksonville Journal-Courier, 3/28/22

What’s next for the Illinois parole board?, Illinois Public Media, 3/27/22

What’s next for the Illinois parole board?, Kankakee Daily Journal, 3/26/22

‘Out of Sight, Out of Mind’: The Failure of Prison Oversight, The Crime Report, 3/16/22

The Landscape of Recent State and County Correctional Oversight Efforts, Brennan Center for Justice, 3/15/22

What's Drew Peterson's Life Like Now?, A&E TV True Crime Blog, 3/3/22

Former CPD Officer Jason Van Dyke Was Kept Off Online Illinois Corrections Database While In Prison, And It Turns Out He’s Far From Only One, CBS Chicago, 2/22/22

Low vaccination rates among IDOC staff having trickle-down effect, activists say, 7 ABC KHQA, 2/15/22

Low vaccination rates among IDOC staff having trickle-down effect, activists say, ABC 20 News, 2/15/22

Report Reveals Improper Employee Fundraising, Including Use Of Prison Labor, At Illinois Prisons, Riverbender.com, 2/14/22

State review finds fault with DOC’s prison-labor fundraising practices, Illinois Business Journal, 2/12/22

Report reveals improper employee fundraising, including use of prison labor, at Illinois prisons, The Center Square, 2/11/22

Report Reveals Improper Employee Fundraising, Including Use Of Prison Labor, At Illinois Prisons, Patch.com, 2/11/22

Report reveals improper employee fundraising, including use of prison labor, at Illinois prisons, Cities 92.9FM, 2/11/22

A quarter of Illinois prison guards are still unvaccinated, but the state is punishing only a small number for violating its vaccine mandate, WBEZ, 2/9/22

Covid-19 again hits Illinois prisons, exacerbating long-standing failures in medical and mental health care, Injustice Watch, 2/7/22

WGN Investigates: Van Dyke’s final hours as an inmate: Former CPD officer released just after midnight, WGN9, 2/3/22

COVID-19 again hits Illinois prisons, exacerbating long-standing failures in medical and mental health care, Chicago Crusader, 2/1/22

COVID-19 again hits Illinois prisons, exacerbating long-standing failures in medical and mental health care, Effingham Daily News, 1/30/22

COVID-19 again hits Illinois prisons, exacerbating failures in medical, mental health care, The Pantagraph, 1/27/22

COVID-19 Again Hits Illinois Prisons, Exacerbating Long-Standing Failures in Medical and Mental Health Care, Better Government Association, 1/27/22

EXCLUSIVE: Unvaccinated Pennsylvania Prisoners Stuck in Lockdown, The Epoch Times, 1/25/22

Possible Settlement May Be Coming in Western IL Correctional Facility Beating Case, WLDS, 1/20/22

How the Lack of Items Is Affecting Incarcerated People in Illinois, WTTW, 1/18/22

Outside the Loop #795: The broken promises of Cabrini-Green, COVID in state prisons, WGN Radio, 1/8/22

Report: Prison health care issues widespread in Tennessee, The Center Square, 1/5/22

2021

MORE

Report: Pandemic response slow and inadequate in prisons, WCNY Radio, 12/29/21

64% of Illinois prison workers are now vaccinated as their union fights the mandate, WBEZ, 12/23/21

Illinois cancels disputed deal with company that stocks prison commissaries, WBEZ, 12/17/21

A water crisis decades in the making has come to a head at a prison just outside Chicago, Injustice Watch, 12/16/21

CAPITOL RECAP: Commissary Shortages, WSIU NPR Public Radio, 12/11/21

IDOC inmates continue to face commissary shortages, Yahoo! News, 12/11/21

Watchdog report details shortages of basic supplies in Illinois prison commissaries, WCIS ABC, 12/10/21

Illinois state prison inmates face commissary shortages of everyday necessities, Bellevue News-Democrat, 12/10/21

CAPITOL RECAP: Commissary Shortages, Daily Journal, 12/9/21

Commissaries, hit by shortages, lack basic necessities for prisoners, Jacksonville Journal-Courier, 12/9/21

IDOC inmates continue to face commissary shortages, Capitol News Illinois, 12/8/21

Illinois inmates continue to face commissary shortages, WSIU Public Radio NPR, 12/8/21

Illinois inmates continue to face commissary shortages, Bellevue Herald-Leader, 12/8/21

Illinois inmates continue to face commissary shortages, The Pantagraph, 12/8/21

State: Pandemic Supply Chain Issues Blame Out of Stock in Prison Commission, Illinois News Today, 12/8/21

Inmates continue to face commissary shortages, Daily Herald, 12/8/2021

Chris Hedges' recent talk in Chicago brought back memories of my days in jail, ChicagoNow, 11/10/21

Beauty behind bars: Why makeup matters for prisoners, CNN, 11/2/21

Beauty behind bars: Why makeup matters for prisoners, Erie News Now, 11/2/21

Beauty behind bars: Why makeup matters for prisoners, KAKE ABC, 11/2/21

Hunger Strike, Ceiling Collapse, Lawsuit Spotlight Deteriorating Conditions at Women’s Prison in Illinois, Prison Legal News, 10/15/21

Man convicted of killing CPD officer in 1970’s denied parole by one vote, WGN, 10/28/21

Cook County sheriff accuses state prison of slowing inmate transfers based on vaccinations, The Southern Illinoisan, 10/2/21

Sheriff Tom Dart accuses state prison of slowing inmate transfers based on vaccinations, files suit seeking Illinois Supreme Court intervention, Chicago Tribune, 10/1/21

Illinois Eyes New York Plan to Keep Parole Violators Out of Jail, Bloomberg Law, 9/24/21

Final5Fridays: St. Charles to Lincoln, 8/27/21

Federal complaint targets conditions in Illinois prison segregation units, State Journal-Register, 8/8/21

Illinois Youth Aim To Close Down 127-Year-Old Detention Facility, Newsweek, 8/6/21

Youth Advocates Push To Close Illinois Juvenile Prisons, CBS, 8/6/21

Chicago Justice Show: IDOC Transparency, Chicago Justice Project, 8/4/21

Illinois rallies to support women in prison, Liberation, 8/4/21

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker Announces Statewide School Mask Mandate, WBEZ, 8/4/21

Illinois will no longer sell products made in prisons to state agencies, private groups, Effingham Daily News, 7/30/21

A prison deadly beaten prisoner “blind spot” highlights the failure of prison guard supervision, Watchdog says – CBS Chicago, Illinois News, 7/6/21

Inmate Fatally Beaten In Prison ‘Blind Spot’ Highlights Failure To Oversee Jail Guards, Watchdog Says, CBS, 7/2/21

WBEZ Investigation Reveals Pattern Of Alleged Abuse At Illinois Prison, WBEZ Radio, 7/1/21

Lawmakers Are ‘Horrified’ And Calling For Action On Illinois Prison Abuse, WBEZ, 6/30/21

1,000 inmates still stuck in county jails — creating dangerous conditions — because state prisons won’t take them, sheriffs say, Chicago Sun-Times, 6/27/21

Groups Urge Training, Mentoring Programs Over Youth Incarceration, patch.com, 6/22/21

‘I’ll be the first to die’, Illinois News Today, 6/18/21

Chicago legal advocacy groups use education campaigns to encourage vaccination among incarcerated individuals, The Daily Northwestern, 5/28/21

But Who Oversees the Overseers?: The Status of Prison and Jail Oversight in the United States, The American Journal of Criminal Law, 5/6/21

New vision? Or new prison? Illinois debates youth incarceration, Illinois Times, 5/6/21

Concerns remain for COVID vaccines for Illinois prison staff and inmates, Alton Daily News, 5/4/21

Illinois prison officials report nearly 70% of inmates, 36% of staff, vaccinated against COVID-19, The Center Square, 5/3/21

76,000 California inmates eligible for earlier release due to change in good behavior credits, NewsNation, 5/1/21

Quick hits: Prison watchdog reports monitoring underway, MDJOnline, 4/27/21

Illinois cuts prison call costs; Oklahoma inmates, families still struggle, The Journal Record, 4/22/21

Illinois Dramatically Cut the Cost of Prison Phone Calls. Oklahoma Could Do The Same, Oklahoma Watch, 4/20/21

Illinois Playbook, Politico, 4/19/21

Illinois Prison Watchdog Organization Leader Glad About Restart Of In-Person Visits, WCBU 89.9FM, 4/16/21

Illinois Prison Watchdog Organization Leader Glad About Restart Of In-Person Visits, WGLT 89.1FM, 4/16/21

Standards, Oversight For Jailed Kids Need To Improve: Watchdog Report, NPR, 4/7/21

Serve Illinois Volunteer of the Week Michael Sehr, Serve Illinois, 4/5/21

Outside the Loop #755: Housing instability, COVID-19’s impact on prisons, Burning Bush Brewery celebrates its first year, WGN, 4/3/21 (JHA portion is from 17:20-27:08)

Illinois Prisons Are COVID-19 Hotspots. So Why Have Only 27% Of Workers Taken The Vaccine?, WBEZ, 3/26/21

Illinois Playbook: Coronavirus Updates, Politico, 3/26/21

A Year Into The Pandemic, Illinois Prisons Still Have No Plan For In-Person Visits, WBEZ, 3/20/21

Everything Felt Like a Punishment: Inmates at Stateville Correctional Center describe COVID-19 behind bars, South Side Weekly, March 2021

Illinois Prison Guard Pleads Guilty In Prison Beating Death Case, WBEZ, 3/9/21

02.23.21 AM HITS: Police Bill For and Against, The Center Square, 2/23/21

Reappoint Cook County public defender — or find somebody who’s just as good, Chicago Sun Times, 2/21/21

Violent crime victim pleads with Gov. Pritzker to veto sweeping reforms to state’s justice system, The Center Square, 2/4/21

How COVID-19 Worsens the Housing Crunch for Returning Citizens, The Crime Report, 1/25/21

6 Key Reforms In The Massive Criminal Justice Bill Illinois Lawmakers Passed Last Week, WBEZ, 1/20/21

ACLU defends Pritzker’s move to prioritize prisoner vaccinations, WCIA, 1/18/21

Reformers glad prisoners will get access to COVID-19 vaccines soon, WBBM NewsRadio, 1/14/21

Illinois inmates to be part of next COVID-19 vaccine phase, ABC7, 1/8/21

MORE

Activists fighting for inmates to get COVID-19 vaccine, ABC20 TV, 12/23/20

AFSCME pushes back on Pritzker's budget cuts, saying furloughs would be useless, The State Journal-Register, 12/22/20

COVID-19 cases and deaths are surging again in Illinois prisons, as inmates and advocates call for more action, Chicago Tribune, 12/22/20

Filing Complaints In Prison, Illinois Public Media’s the 21st show, 12/7/20

The way prisoners flag guard abuse, inadequate health care and unsanitary conditions Is broken, Injustice Watch, 12/3/20

‘The System Is Broken’: How Illinois Prisons Handle Guard Abuse, Safety Concerns, WBEZ Reset, 12/2/20

From Roaches To Medical Emergencies, Illinois Inmates Say ‘There’s Nobody That We Can Really Go To For Help’, WBEZ, 12/2/20

The Way Prisoners Flag Guard Abuse, Inadequate Health Care and Unsanitary Conditions Is Broken, ProPublica, 12/2/20

One inmate death, virus cases surging at Dixon Correctional Center, Shaw Local, 11/30/20

Union: Virus outbreak at Dixon Correctional Center also affecting staff, Sauk Valley, 11/19/20

One inmate death, virus cases surging at Dixon Correctional Center, Sauk Valley 11/13/20

Containing COVID-19: Jails, Prisons Ripe for Spread, WTTW, 11/12/20

ILLINOIS STATE SENATE DISTRICT 16: Collins receives John Howard Association award for work in criminal justice, Chicago City Wire, 11/2/20

4 inmates have died from COVID-19 at East Moline Correctional Center, out of 29 in state prisons, Chicago Tribune, 10/28/20

Four inmates have died from COVID at East Moline Correctional Center, Quad-City Times, 10/27/20

Four inmates have died from COVID at East Moline Correctional Center, Muscatine Journal, 10/27/20

Prison puzzle: Lawmakers talk reform, Illinois Times, 10/15/20

Senate focuses on prison conditions, My Journal Courier, 10/15/20

Senate hearing focuses on Illinois prison conditions, Alton Daily News, 10/14/20

State Senate committee takes on prison reform, DeKalb Daily Chronicle, 10/14/20

Ill. State Senate committees take on prison reform, Quad-City Times, 10/13/20

Senate hearing focuses on Illinois prison conditions, The Center Square, 10/13/20

JT Earns Gold and Silver for our Work on Sinai’s 100th Anniversary and the John Howard Association Website, Jasculca Terman blog, 9/23/20

Bringing Strategic Business Counsel to 16 Chicago Nonprofit Organizations, LinkedIn, 9/21/20

State lawmakers, advocates discuss solutions to problematic sentencing policies, WSIL News 3, 9/15/20

Senate committee focuses on criminal sentencing reforms, The Audubon County Advocate Journal, 9/15/20

Public health should come first in setting prison policy, Chicago Sun Times, 9/10/20

Advocacy groups, counties say IDOC isn't doing enough, ABC20 TV, 9/9/20

The context and full statement of JHA ED  Jennifer Vollen-Katz was that IDPH and local health departments must treat prisons and the people inside of them as part of the community, and provide the same protections to them as are available to the public - not only during the current pandemic but every day.  Health and sanitation inspections and reporting on findings inside prisons should be routine, as it is for hospitals, restaurants, and many other public and private entities.  Prison health IS public health, and should not be exempt from health department regulation and accountability.  Not providing people in prisons the same health and safety protections afforded to all citizens is unfair, unsafe and dehumanizing.

As IDOC facilities continue to face COVID-19, families worry, 7 ABC KHQA, 9/7/20

As IDOC facilities continue to face COVID-19, families worry, ABC20 TV, 9/7/20

Tom's #Mailbag, Sept. 4, 2020, The News-Gazette, 9/4/20

Families of fallen officers in fight to keep cop killers locked up, WGN9 TV, 9/1/20

Watch now: Pritzker administration unveils overhaul of juvenile justice system, Herald & Review, 8/1/20

Pritzker administration unveils overhaul of Illinois juvenile justice system, Marietta Daily Journal, 7/31/20

Outside The Loop #717: Green buildings in the time of a pandemic, Police torture memorial, How COVID-19 impacts prisons, WGN Radio 720, 7/11/20 (Note: JHA portion begins at 28 min 53 seconds)

Despite early warnings from governor's health advisers, COVID-19 testing lags in Illinois prisons, Marietta Daily Journal, 7/6/20

Quick hits: Illinois news in brief for Thursday, July 2, 2020, The Center Square, 7/2/20

Quick hits: Illinois news in brief for Thursday, July 2, 2020, Marietta Daily Journal, 7/2/20

Democrats And Republicans Are Critical Of Pritzker’s Handling Of COVID-19 In Prisons, WBEZ, 6/29/20

Activists petition Illinois public health department to shut down Vienna prison, Injustice Watch, 6/19/20

Are Illinois Prisoners Receiving Enough COVID-19 Protection?, The 21st Show on Illinois Public Radio, 6/10/20

Portion of Cannabis Revenue to Address 'War On Drugs' Past, Alton Daily News, 6/9/20

R3 program offering grants to help victims of war on drugs, Marietta Daily Journal, 6/5/20

R3 program offering grants to help victims of war on drugs, The Center Square, 6/5/20

Stateville prison reopens F-House to hold COVID-19 inmates, Jacksonville Journal Courier, 5/17/20

Some raise concerns about COVID-19 testing policies for people leaving prison, The Center Square, 5/12/20

Stateville prison reopens decrepit ‘F-House’ to hold inmates with COVID-19, Injustice Watch, 5/12/20

Hundreds of Illinois prisoners released as COVID-19 spreads, but few elderly see reprieve, Injustice Watch, 5/6/20

Inmates at Chicago's Cook County jail 'subjected to a death sentence' amid coronavirus pandemic, MSNBC PoliticsNation, 4/26/20

GOP Senators seek records related to early release from prisons, Marietta Daily Journal, 4/23/20

Editorial | Early release, Champaign/Urbana News Gazette, 4/22/20

Pritzker faces questioning on prison sentence commutations, DeKalb Daily Chronicle, 4/20/20

Illinois Senate Republicans, including Schimpf, question Pritzker on prison sentence commutations, The Southern Illinoisan, 4/20/20

New Call for Action to Protect Kids Awaiting Trial in Illinois, Public News Service, 4/20/20

Medically Vulnerable to be Furloughed From Prison, Alton Daily News, 4/9/20

Illinois’ medically vulnerable to be furloughed from prison as COVID-19 hits Stateville Correctional Center, Marietta Daily Journal, 4/7/20

Illinois’ medically vulnerable to be furloughed from prison as COVID-19 hits Stateville Correctional Center, The Center Square, 4/7/20

As COVID-19 Spreads, Advocates Sound Alarm For People In Prisons And The Communities Around Them, WBEZ, 4/5/20

Outside the Loop #703: IL Breweries Surviving Pandemic + COVID-19’s Impact on Prisons & New Transportation Realities, WGN Radio 720, 4/5/20 (Note: JHA portion begins at 8 min 20 seconds)

Are Prison Law Libraries Adequate?, Prison Legal News, 4/1/20

Quick hits: Illinois news in brief, Marietta Daily Journal, 3/31/20

Illinois’ prison system reports first COVID-19 death with ‘clusters’ in other places, The Center Square, 3/30/20

Are Illinois prisons equipped to handle the COVID-19 pandemic?, The Southern, 3/19/20

Prison restrictions to combat coronavirus leaving monitors, families locked out, USA Today, 3/17/20

As COVID-19 Measures Grow, Prison Oversight Falls, the Marshall Project, 3/17/20

Cook County officials ponder inmate release to ease coronavirus concerns at jail; advocates demand state consider taking action, Chicago Tribune, 3/16/20

Facing coronavirus, Macon County law enforcement adjust policies, Herald & Review, 3/16/20

Coronavirus in Illinois: "Prisoners are People, Too", Spot On Illinois, 3/12/20

Coronavirus in Illinois: "Prisoners are People, Too", Public News Service, 3/12/20

Prison watchdog urges Illinois Department of Corrections to make COVID-19 plans public, Washington Examiner, 3/11/20

Prison watchdog urges Illinois Department of Corrections to make COVID-19 plans public, The Center Square, 3/10/20

Illinois Fair Maps Amendment gets support of state organizations, The Daily Illini, 3/9/20

5 years after death, $50 million Macon County inmate case may be going to trial, Herald & Review, 3/1/20

Lester Mason: justice or “archaic” penalty?, Free Community Word, 2/26/20

Champaign Group Provides Home To Former Prisoners, But Need For Housing Remains, Illinois Newsroom, 2/20/20

Champaign Group Provides Home To Former Prisoners, But Need For Housing Remains, NPR, 2/20/20

What Can Illinois' Jails And Prisons Do To Improve The Lives Of The Children Of The Incarcerated?, NPR, 1/9/20

‘One Good Eye’ Policy In Illinois Prisons, Illinois Public Media “The 21st”, 1/7/20

New policy restricts book-banning in prisons, WJBC, 1/6/20

Illinois Changes Policy Regarding Books for Prisoners, WBGZ Radio, 1/5/20

After backlash, Illinois DOC changes book banning policy at state prisons, The Center Square, 1/5/20

Degradation, Neglect And Roaches: Inside Illinois’ Largest Women’s Prison, WBEZ, 1/2/20

Season’s Greetings from JHA, Stateville Speaks, Fall/Winter 2019

MORE

Prisoners In Illinois Will No Longer Have To Pay To See A Doctor, WBEZ, 12/30/19

New criminal justice laws include barring state from suing for cost of incarceration, The Center Square, 12/15/19

Illinois governor seeks prison tower cameras, Stock Daily Dish, 12/14/19

Watchdog: Assaults On Staff Down At St. Charles Youth Prison, WBEZ 91.5, 12/2/19

How Old Is Too Old for Prison?, Chicago Magazine, 11/26/19

JT Leads the John Howard Association in a Comprehensive Rebranding Initiative, Jasculca Terman website, 11/11/19

The Failures of Re-entry for Returning Citizens and their Communities, The Appeal, 10/25/19

IL State Rep. wants to bring back the death penalty, WAND TV, 10/25/19

Lawmaker files legislation to reinstate death penalty in Illinois, The Center Square, 10/23/19

Justice should be blind, but not confused, Chicago Sun Times, 10/22/19

Pritzker Vows Support For Prison Death Transparency, Despite Previous Opposition, WBEZ 91.5, 9/23/19

Formerly a hellish, brutal lockup, Cook County jail now known for mental health care | SPECIAL REPORT, Colorado Springs Gazette, 9/14/19

Arizona prisons paid $40 million in overtime in one year; staffing 'crisis' continues, Arizona Republic, 9/13/19

Pritzker Reviewing How Prisons Investigate Inmate Deaths, But Won’t Commit To Transparency Bill, WBEZ 91.5, 9/9/19

Mysterious Prison Deaths In Illinois Linked To ‘Unknown Substance’ And Falsified Documents, WBEZ 91.5, 8/26/2019

The truth about suicide behind bars is knowable, The Hill, 8/13/19

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin files bill to abolish death penalty nationwide, MDJ Online, 8/12/19

Surveys say prison conditions troubling, The Edwardsville Intelligencer, 8/12/19

Surveys say prison conditions troubling, Jacksonville Journal Courier, 8/12/19

Surveys say prison conditions troubling, Alton Telegraph, 8/12/19

U.S. Prisons Need a Board of Visitors, Medium, 8/8/19

Surveys Reveal Troubling Conditions Inside Illinois Prisons, Public News Service, 8/1/19

Surveys Reveal Troubling Conditions Inside Illinois Prisons, WKEI Talk Radio, 8/1/19

A prison reform group called a strip search exercise at the Lincoln Correctional Center 'dehumanizing.' The courts had a different view., Herald & Review, 7/22/19

Reform group disappointed by ruling involving Lincoln inmates, The Pantagraph, 7/22/19

Transgender woman released from prison after long battle, Sauk Valley Online Newspaper, 7/9/19

Transgender Woman Released From Illinois Prison After Long Battle, WBEZ News, 7/9/19

IDOC Director On Book Removal: Lack Of Policy, Oversight At State Prisons, WILL News - Illinois Public Media, 7/9/19

Illinois Issues: Are Correctional Boot Camps Underutilized?, NPR 91.9, 6/26/19

Will County puts off vote on using suits to recoup costs from ex-inmates, Chicago Tribune, 5/21/19

State Workers Violently Assaulted in Illinois Youth Centers, NBC 5, 5/14/19

Lawmakers Renew Effort To Eliminate Prisoner Medical Co-Pays, Illinois Public Media, 5/14/19

Will County considering lawsuits against inmates to recoup costs of incarceration, Chicago Tribune, 5/14/19

Illinois Legislators are Calling For Changes to a Law That Keeps People In Prison Without a Conviction, Frontline, 5/3/19

Prison Reform Group Sheds Light On Need For State Funded Halfway Houses, WBEZ 91.5, 4/9/19

Parole options increase for young offenders, Galesburg Register-Mail, 4/4/19

Kirkland Helps Minors Shake Adult Time Over Jail Scuffles, Law 360, 3/17/19

Southern Illinois lawmakers keep pushing to reopen Tamms Correctional Center's work camp, The Southern, 3/16/19

New Bill Would Force Transparency On How People Die In Prison, WBEZ 91.5, 3/11/19

Bill would allow prisoners to search online for jobs before release, Pekin Daily Times, 2/12/19

Pritzker unveils justice reform initiative, Chicago Sun-Times, 2/11/19

Illinois Bill Would OK Inmate Pre-Release Job Searches, Government Technology, 2/11/19

Bill would allow prisoners to search online for jobs before release, Galesburg Register-Mail, 2/10/19

Report: Prisoners In Work Release Program Struggle With Healthcare Costs, State IDs, NPR 91.9, 1/31/19

Column: Illinois now has the lowest prison phone rates in the nation, and that's a good thing, Chicago Tribune, 1/24/19

Excerpts from recent editorials in newspapers in Illinois, Charlotte Observer, 1/15/19

Murdered Illinois Inmate’s Family Suing for Answers, Legal Reader, 1/14/19

EDITORIAL: No more foot-dragging on getting proper health care for prisoners, Chicago Sun-Times, 1/13/19

Lawsuit: Springfield man killed fellow inmate in state prison, The State Journal-Register, 1/11/19

MORE

6 Young Men, Given Adult Sentences for “Minor” Infractions, Are Freed in Illinois, ProPublica, 12/28/18

J.B. Pritzker wants criminal justice reform. Here's how it could work. Herald & Review, 12/26/18

Pritzker moves criminal justice reform under one roof, Bloomington Pantagraph, 12/23/18

Solitary confinement: A human rights issue within U.S. borders, Medill Reports Chicago, 12/13/18

EDITORIAL: Steal $33 worth of underwear, go to prison for 10 years, Chicago Sun Times, 12/10/18

Medical Co-Pays for Prisoners Remain Unchanged, Alton Daily News, 12/10/18

Report: Doctors at Illinois youth prison gave kids antipsychotic medication for common behavioral problems, Chicago Reporter, 12/3/18

Effort To Eliminate Medical Co-Pay For Prison Inmates Fails, NPR, 12/3/18

Foxx, Gordon-Booth, Kelly to co-chair Pritzker's Restorative Justice and Safe Communities Committee, Capitol Fax, 11/30/18

Inmate Dies After Altercation With Prison Staff, Death Ruled A Homicide, WBEZ 91.5 Chicago, 11/15/18

#MeToo comes to prison: Illicit sex reports increase at women’s lockup, Illinois Times, 11/13/18

4 Months After An Illinois Prison Death, Family Still Doesn’t Have Any Answers, WBEZ 91.5, 11/1/18

La Verdad Nos Hace Libres, dialoga sobre el sistema de justicia penal en EE.UU., Enlace TV, 10/23/18

Progress slow in prison reform; politics seems the reason, Injustice Watch, 9/19/18

Prisoners frustrated by slow movement of law offering early release opportunity, Injustice Watch, 9/19/18

Beyond the Beltway with Bruce DuMont, 9/16/18

Prison-Reform Advocates Urge Rauner to Sign Medical Co-Pay Bill, Public News Service, 8/10/18

How Low Literacy Rates and Lack of Education Funding Fuel the Cycle of Incarceration, Truthout, 8/5/18

America's Criminal Justice System: Essential for the Rule of Law, World Justice Project event, 8/4/18

Problems of Prisoner Review Board go beyond voting records, attorney writes, Injustice Watch, 8/2/18

Illinois parole board rarely grants inmates release, Rockford Register Star, 7/28/18

Prisoner Review Board routinely rejects parole, 1 member nearly always saying no, Chicago Sun Times, 7/27/18

Crosby: Inmate's letter of gratitude reveals 'hope is a dangerous thing in prison', Chicago Tribune/The Beacon-News, 7/27/18

California, Like Other States, Needs Independent Monitor to Solidify Reform, Ward Off Abuses, Juvenile Justice Information Exchange, 7/25/18

Criminal justice reform group says stigma on ex-offenders must end, Illinois News Network, 7/6/18

Criminal Justice Group: Stigma on Ex-Offenders Must End, Riverbender.com, 7/6/18

Criminal justice reform groups pushes to destigmatize ex offenders, Illinois News Network, 7/5/18

Illinois Parolee Can't Find a Home, Delaware Public Media, 6/16/18

State Struggling To House Paroled Prisoner As Communities Push Him Out, WBEZ, 6/9/18

Cheers and Jeers, Moline Dispatch and Rock Island Argus, 6/9/18

Reaction mixed on Rauner death penalty plan, Herald & Review, 5/21/18

Reaction mixed on Rauner death penalty plan, Bloomington Pantagraph, 5/21/18

Illinois Democrats grill Rauner aide on death penalty plan, Herald & Review, 5/21/18

Rauner on death penalty: More Politics than Policy?, Capitol Fax, 5/16/18

Rauner wants to bring death penalty back to Illinois, raise standard of proof, Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News, 5/15/18

Rauner wants to bring death penalty back to Illinois, raise standard of proof, Illinois News Network, 5/15/18

Rauner wants to bring death penalty back to Illinois, raise standard of proof, Neighbor News Online, 5/15/18

Rauner proposes re-instituting death penalty, Illinois News Network, 5/14/18

Rauner proposes re-instituting death penalty, Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News, 5/14/18

Rauner proposes re-instituting death penalty, LCBC Radio, 5/14/18

Number of moms in U.S. prisons on the rise, but each time that happens 'you incarcerate the whole family,' Chicago woman says of experience, Chicago Tribune, 5/13/18

In Decatur prison, technology removes barriers for moms behind bars, Herald & Review, 5/13/18

Technology removes barriers for moms behind bars, Bloomington Pantagraph, 5/13/18

Reforms in Illinois juvenile system blocked by youth assaults, San Quentin News, 5/8/18

Illinois Inmates Hope To Get Into This Prison, WBEZ 91.5, 5/7/18

Youth riot at Illinois Youth Center-St. Charles caused serious injury, Kane County Chronicle, 5/4/18

Legislation would let police withhold arrest details for weeks, Daily Herald, 4/13/18

IDOC Re-Entry Center set to open in Murphysboro aims to give adults exiting prison tools to succeed, The Southern Illinoisan, 2/6/18

Incarceration Numbers Fall in Illinois, WBGZ Radio/Alton Daily News, 2/2/18

Illinois incarceration rates decline, but state may be able to do more, Illinois News Network, 2/1/18

Illinois incarceration rates decline, but state may be able to do more, Macomb County News, 2/1/18

Restoring the State Legacy of Rehabilitation and Reform, Northwestern University Bluhm Legal Clinic Children & Family Justice Center, January 2018

Forging Solutions to the Difficulties Faced by Older Returning Citizens, Summit on Reentry, Reintegration and Aging hosted by the Jane Addams Center for Social Policy and Research - which focused on solutions to the barriers faced by older returning citizens as they reenter the community. Watch JHA's Director, Prison Monitoring Gwyn Troyer as she speaks about these challenges.

Book ban backlash in N.J. prisons raises local questions, even after reversal, Chicago Tribune, 1/12/18

Prisoner Review Board member made racist remark as sheriff’s deputy, Rock River Times, 1/4/18

Why Makeup Matters to Women in Prison, Racked, 1/3/18

MORE

Illinois Prison Population on Decline, WGBZ Radio, 12/26/17

Corrections watchdog: More needs to be done for criminal justice reform, Springfield Daily, 12/26/17

Corrections watchdog: More needs to be done for criminal justice reform, Citizen Tribune, 12/25/17

Corrections watchdog: More needs to be done for criminal justice reform, Illinois News Network, 12/25/17

Advocacy group lauds Kane County Juvenile Justice Center; changes also recommended, Kane County Chronicle, 12/21/17

IDOC sees spike in alcohol brewed by inmates, Illinois News Network, 12/16/17

IDOC sees spike in alcohol brewed by inmates, Heartland Newsfeed, 12/16/17

Bryant focuses on budget, safety at correctional facilities during House panel hearing, SW Illinois News, 12/5/17

For some families, costs put visits with McHenry County inmates out of reach, Northwest Herald, 10/26/17

For Some Youths, ‘Minor’ Offenses Lead to Major Sentences in Adult Prison, Truthdig, 10/25/17

For Some Youths, ‘Minor’ Offenses Lead to Major Sentences in Adult Prison, ProPublica Illinois, 10/25/17

The Long Wait Part 1 of 3: Aging prisoners left to arbitrary process to win release, Injustice Watch, 10/2/17

Ripper Crew member to join others incarcerated past their parole dates due to housing issues, Chicago Tribune, 9/29/17

Getting a clean slate in the Prairie State, Chicago Lawyer, 8/29/17

Proposed law would punish parents of Chicago gun offenders, Illinois News Network, 8/7/17

Illinois Inmates Could Be Serving Shorter Sentences, Alton Daily News, 8/2/17

Advocates: New sentences for juvenile inmates part of national trend, Illinois News Network, 8/2/17

Editorial: Adult criminal charges no way to rehabilitate youth, Quad-Cities Online, 7/22/17

Juvenile Jail Too Hard On Some Offenders, Advocate Says, CBS, 6/16/17

Federal oversight of Cook County jail ends after decades, Peoria Public Radio, 6/14/17

A federal judge is ending years of monitoring at the Cook County Jail since it is meeting conditions set by a consent decree, WBEZ Radio, 6/13/17

Cook County Jail exits federal oversight of more than 40 years, Chicago Tribune, 6/13/17

Workshop for those impacted by incarceration, WCIA, 6/8/17

A Plea From Inside: Prisons Must Offer College Classes, Truthout, 6/7/17

How New York journalists overcame barriers to prison access and opened the world’s eyes to the horrors of Rikers, Media Matters for America, 5/30/17

Theater events, Daily Herald, 5/12/17

Cook County Settles Hundreds Of Jail Lawsuits — Are They Frivolous Or Valid?, WBEZ 91.5, 5/11/17

David Guiliani's weekly "As It Is" column, The Times, 5/7/17

Female inmates focus of House prison-reform measure, The Pantagraph, 5/2/17

Bill adds women's services division to IDOC, Herald & Review, 5/1/17

Williams' 'Nightingale' play inspires recipe evoking prison memories, Chicago Tribune, 4/28/17

NOT ABOUT NIGHTINGALES Audience Engagement Events Announced, Broadway World Chicago, 4/26/17

Diversion program aims to placate bill’s critics, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 4/10/17

Ex-cons will showcase ‘harsh realities’ of prison Sunday at Ms. D’s Kitchen, State Journal-Register, 4/7/17

AP NewsBreak: Illinois Governor Seeks Prison Tower Cameras, US News & World Report, 3/22/17

Rauner wants cameras in prison towers to cut OT costs, The State-Journal Register, 3/22/17

Illinois governor seeks prison tower cameras, Danville Commercial-News, 3/22/17

Illinois governor seeks prison tower cameras, The Galesburg-Register Mail, 3/22/17

Illinois governor seeks prison tower cameras, News Chief, 3/22/17

‘Club Fed’ or ‘terrible place?’ Drew Peterson’s new living conditions still unclear, Peoria Journal Star, 3/5/17

Illinois Prison Reform" on At Issue with Craig Dellimore, WBBM Radio, 1/15/17

Criminal Justice Reform Commission Releases Final Report, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 1/13/17

Criminal Justice Reform Commission Releases Final Report, SAT Releases, 1/12/17

Criminal Justice Reform Commission Releases Final Report, Military Technologies, 1/11/17

Criminal Justice Reform Commission Releases Final Report, Office of Governor Rauner, 1/10/17

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Editorial: More work to do on helping parolees get ID, The Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus, Quad Cities Online, 12/29/16

Illinois rethinks its approach to juvenile justice, Christian Science Monitor, 12/22/16

Prison population down 9 percent under Rauner, Bloomington Pantagraph, 12/21/16

Guest Column: State ID bill for released inmates doesn't get the job done, The State Journal Register, 12/21/16

Illinois prison population down 9 percent under Rauner, Quad City Times, 12/19/16

Prison population down 9%, Journal Gazette and Times-Courier, 12/18/16

State's prison population on decline, Herald & Review 12/18/16

State's prison population on decline, Liberty Tribune, 12/18/16

Prison population down 9 percent under Rauner, Miami County Republic, 12/16/16

Rauner Signs Law Allowing IDs for Released Inmates, WBEZ 12/16/16

Freed-inmate ID bill draws support, but group says more could be done, Illinois News Network, 12/14/16

Guest Commentary: State-ID bill ignores underlying issues, The News-Gazette, 12/13/16

Past is not present: unconvential re-entry programs fight recidivism, The Columbia Chronicle, 12/12/16

State closes door on Stateville prison ’roundhouse’, Chicago Sun Times, 11/30/16

Keeping Parolees Out, Illinois Times, 11/4/16

Prison Watchdog Questions Tuesday Night Cook County Prison Fight Video, CBS Chicago, 10/26/16

Illinois Corrections proposes new limits on inmate segregation, Quad-City Times, 10/19/16

Rauner to shutter 'terrible,' outdated part of Stateville prison, Chicago Tribune, 10/18/16

Ex-Illinois youth prison to reopen as 'life skills' facility, Herald & Review, 10/14/16

Governor Rauner Announces Significant Steps in Reforming Illinois’ Criminal Justice System: Illinois Youth Center Murphysboro to be repurposed into re-entry facility; closing oldest, most outdated unit at Stateville Correctional Center, 10/14/16

Rauner: Lack of opportunity, not unfunded programs, fueling Chicago violence, Illinois News Network, 09/27/16

Racial disparities worsen as juvenile imprisonment declines in Illinois, The Chicago Reporter, 09/21/16

Racial disparities worsen as juvenile imprisonment declines in Illinois, Catalyst Chicago, 09/21/16

Violence in Chicago: A Special Edition of ‘Chicago Tonight’, WTTW Chicago Tonight, 09/20/16

CPD Superintendent Eddie Johnson Asks for Help on Violence, WTTW Chicago Tonight, 09/06/16

State prison population shrinks; still overcrowded, The Rock River Times, 08/31/16

Illinois’ Prison Population Falling – But Still Overcrowded, Vermilion County First, 08/28/16

Chicago City Council helps ex-offenders find jobs, Illinois News Network, 07/25/16

Licensing measure would help give former offenders a new start, Illinois News Network, 07/18/16

Prison watchdog group lands coveted grant, Chicago Sun-Times, 06/24/16

Getting a clean slate in the Prairie State, Chicago Lawyer, 06/16

IDOC director eager to start mental health overhaul, The Pantagraph, 05/22/16

IDOC director eager to start mental health overhaul, AMDA, 05/22/16

In the Loop: Illinois Prison Explosion, WYCC, 05/12/16

Does Illinois Put Too Many Prisoners In Solitary?, NPR, 05/11/16

Lawmakers Seek To Clear One Hurdle Preventing Prisoners From Getting Back On Track, WBEZ 91.5 Chicago, 03/07/16

New Bill Would Require Parolees To Get State IDs After Release, Northern Public Radio, 03/07/16

Prison Watchdog Blames Mandatory Minimum Sentences For Increasing Cost Of Criminal Justice System, CBS, 02/21/16

WBBM's At Issue: Criminal Justice Reform 2016, WBBM Newsradio, 02/16/16

Juvenile Detention Center to Close, WBGZ Radio, 02/14/16

MORE

New Beginning for Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center, WTTW Chicago Tonight, 10/25/15

Beyond the Beltway discussion on prison reform, Beyond the Beltway, 10/15/15

Prisoners’ Rights Group Hopes New IDOC Director Tackles Overcrowding, Treatment Of Mentally Ill, CBS, 09/28/15

How the John Howard Association of Illinois Won a Macarthur Effective Institution Award With Advocacy, Linked In, 9/10/15

The Real Piper Kerman, WTTW Chicago Tonight, 06/17/15

Report: Vienna prison 'worse than a Detroit homeless shelter', The Southern Illinoisan, 05/02/15

Prison Watchdog Group Watching U.S. Jails, 04/02/15

Dixon prison second-highest in state for OT pay, Sauk Valley, 02/20/15

Commission to address prison overcrowding, rehabilitation and other criminal justice reforms, Illinois News Network, 02/12/15

Rauner hopes to tackle prison crowding, understaffing, Quad City Times, 02/08/15

Illinois Criminal Justice Watchdog Wins MacArthur Award, Juvenile Justice Information Exchange, 02/06/15

Juvenile and criminal justice experts 'very pleased' with Gov. Rauner appointments, 01/31/15