Three diversion programs now offer alternatives to prosecution in cases where licensing is often the main issue, though a relatively small number of cases are being referred to them. The Cook County legal justice system has traditionally taken a punitive approach to nonviolent gun possession cases, where licensing is often the central issue. For some, […]

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In Illinois women’s prisons, time is measured differently. People serving sentences count the days until a family visit, the months until a parole hearing, or the years until their release date.  They count birthdays of loved ones missed, children growing older, and milestones passing outside prison walls.  For those serving felony sentences, another date remains […]

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As Haiti proceeds through the FIFA World Cup 2026, a limited-time exhibition in Uptown celebrates the players, artists and community leaders who have shaped the nation’s soccer legacy. “Echoes of Glory: 1974 / 2026,” presented by the Haitian American Museum of Chicago (HAMOC), opened on June 11 with an art showcase and panel discussion exploring […]

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In Illinois, more than 3.3 million people live with an arrest or a conviction on their record. A legal justice record of any kind can prevent an individual from accessing housing, employment and services—barriers collectively termed the “second chance gap.” The consequences are lost opportunities and $4.7 billion in lost earnings across the state, according […]

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The post Cook County Tried to Rid People of Medical Debt, but, for Many, Help Comes Too Late appeared first on The Chicago Reporter.