Illinois Lawmakers Vote to End Cash Bail
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois General Assembly passed an expansive criminal justice bill on the last day of the lame-duck session, which, among other changes, would end the use of cash bail and impose new certification requirements for police officers. The measure was a part of a slate of bills spearheaded by the Legislative Black Caucus. Gov. […]
Black Caucus Passes Criminal Justice Omnibus Bill Through Senate
The Illinois Senate passed a criminal justice omnibus bill early Wednesday morning after a grueling 20 hours of politicking during Tuesday’s lame duck…
Education Reform Bill Will Head to Governor; Economic Equity Bills Pass House
A bill aimed at improving racial equity throughout the state’s K-12 and higher education system passed both houses of the General Assembly on Monday,…
State Lawmakers Debate Police Reform, Changes to Criminal Justice System
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers spent much of their weekend session debating criminal justice reform bills. The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus is using the lame-duck session to address a range of social equity issues, from healthcare to education to criminal justice. On Saturday, for a combined seven hours, the House Judiciary Committee and Senate Executive Committee […]
Black Caucus Introduces Sweeping Police Legislation, Faces Opposition From Law Enforcement
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus has introduced a sweeping criminal justice omnibus bill that aims to heavily alter the state of policing in Illinois. Sen. Elgie Sims, D-Chicago, introduced a 611-page amendment to House Bill 163 Tuesday in the state Senate, a move that would allow the bill to move during the General […]
Pritzker Administration Announces $4.5 Million ‘Racial Healing’ Initiative
Gov. JB Pritzker and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton unveiled a $4.5 million initiative Tuesday that is meant to foster dialogue and promote racial healing in…
Pritzker Discusses Police, Criminal Justice Reform In Springfield
As protests against police brutality continue throughout Illinois, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he’s working on police and criminal justice reform, and…
‘They Should Be Letting Guys Go’: Six Illinois Prisoners Dead From COVID-19
URBANA – At least six men incarcerated in the Stateville Correctional Center near Joliet have died after contracting COVID-19. According to the Illinois Department of Corrections, 123 people incarcerated at Stateville have tested positive for the virus along with 65 staff members. Other prisons across the state have also reported cases of the virus among […]