Our next article club is two weeks away! Join us for an informal conversation about the intersection of traffic court, immigration enforcement, and due process. RSVP here: buff.ly/vGOvw1w

Today’s @injusticewatch.org newsletter has all sorts of important news about the courts and also a major exclusive: a list of my favorite Freddy Krueger movies. www.injusticewatch.org/subscribe/

I don’t know how I’d vote for #CookCounty,IL judges without the judicial guide from @injusticewatch.org. I donate so they can continue that work—but the hat is cool, too.

Injustice Watch@injusticewatch.org · 2w ago

🧢 Through the end of July, if you make a donation of $50 or more, we’ll send you the “check your judges” hat of your choice as a thank you. buff.ly/qlx1NfS

⏳ Time is running out to submit your tips for our next judicial election guide. Take a look at the list of Cook County judges up for retention this November, and let our reporters know if you have something to share. www.injusticewatch.org/judges/judic...

What can you tell us about these Cook County judges running for retention?

We’re researching the Cook County judges running for another term in November for our judicial election guide. Have something to share? Let us know.

injusticewatch.org

This summer, we’re leading listening sessions with young Chicagoans to learn where they get their news and what they want to better understand about youth incarceration. Here are a few of the answers we’ve heard so far, from young people at Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation and Stick Talk.

🧢 Through the end of July, if you make a donation of $50 or more, we’ll send you the “check your judges” hat of your choice as a thank you. buff.ly/qlx1NfS

Join us Tuesday, August 18, for a conversation about how Cook County prosecutors are seeking warrants for people who miss traffic court — even though they’ve already been detained or deported by ICE. buff.ly/arMpjga

@pascalsabino.bsky.social has been killing this beat for the last few years. You'll recall this 2024 piece from him on the same issue: boltsmag.org/chicago-poli... And always LOVELY to collaborate with the great team at @injusticewatch.org!

“It is really hard for the public to hold our authorities accountable when we are operating with flawed data,” said W. Robert Schultz III, an organizer for the Active Transportation Alliance, which works toward making Chicago’s roads safer. (w/ @boltsmag.org) buff.ly/HBOHdEj

Chicago Police promised to ‘fix’ secret traffic stops. A year later, the problem has only gotten worse.

As Chicago’s top cop steps down, police are making fewer traffic stops. But our new investigation finds half of stops are still not being reported to oversight agencies, despite a state law mandating…

injusticewatch.org

🧢 Donate $50 or more through the end of July, and we'll send you the "check your judges" hat of your choice as a thank you. All funds raised will support distribution and community engagement efforts for our next judicial election guide. buff.ly/1OmAcuT

The percentage of unreported traffic stops by Chicago police, which Injustice Watch and @boltsmag.org first reported on in 2024, has increased in the last two years — even after the department promised to "fix" the problem. Half of all stops in the last year were never reported.

Chicago Police promised to ‘fix’ secret traffic stops. A year later, the problem has only gotten worse.

As Chicago’s top cop steps down, police are making fewer traffic stops. But our new investigation finds half of stops are still not being reported to oversight agencies, despite a state law mandating…

buff.ly

For years, Chicago police have failed to report tens of thousands of traffic stops per month, in violation of state law. A year after CPD promised to “fix” the problem, it’s gotten worse. By @pascalsabino.bsky.social, for @boltsmag.org and @injusticewatch.org: www.injusticewatch.org/criminal-cou...

Chicago Police promised to ‘fix’ secret traffic stops. A year later, the problem has only gotten worse.

As Chicago’s top cop steps down, police are making fewer traffic stops. But our new investigation finds half of stops are still not being reported to oversight agencies, despite a state law mandating ...

injusticewatch.org

Chicago Police officials said they would address the 200,000+ secretive traffic stops I had uncovered two years ago that were hidden from oversight. But now as CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling retires, the issue is worse— *half* of all stops in the last year were not properly documented

Chicago Police Promised to 'Fix' Secret Traffic Stops. A Year Later, the Problem Has Only Gotten Worse. - Bolts

This story was produced as a collaboration between Bolts and Injustice Watch, a nonprofit news organization in Chicago focused on issues of equity and justice in the court system. In... Read More

boltsmag.org

As Chicago’s top cop steps down, police are making fewer traffic stops. But a new investigation from Injustice Watch and @boltsmag.org finds most stops are still not being reported to oversight agencies, despite a state law mandating disclosure. www.injusticewatch.org/criminal-cou...

Chicago Police promised to ‘fix’ secret traffic stops. A year later, the problem has only gotten worse.

As Chicago’s top cop steps down, police are making fewer traffic stops. But our new investigation finds half of stops are still not being reported to oversight agencies, despite a state law mandating…

injusticewatch.org

Update: Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed this legislation into law. Read our work below with @boltsmag.org to see how Illinois is raising the compensation for wrongfully convicted people, who often leave prison with few means to rebuild their lives.

Injustice Watch@injusticewatch.org · 2mo ago

Illinois has lagged behind other states when it comes to state compensation for people who are wrongfully convicted. A new bill aims to change that. (Co-published with @boltsmag.org) buff.ly/DbhCj4f

We’re researching the Cook County judges running for another term in November for our judicial election guide. Have something to share? Let us know. www.injusticewatch.org/judges/judic...

What can you tell us about these Cook County judges running for retention?

We’re researching the Cook County judges running for another term in November for our judicial election guide. Have something to share? Let us know.

injusticewatch.org

🧢 We have new hats! They come in two styles and colorways, and feature the slogan we’re best known for: “check your judges”. Through the end of July, if you donate $50 or more, we'll send you the hat of your choice as a thank you. buff.ly/1OmAcuT

Update: A Cook County judge granted Tyrece Williams’ certificate of innocence last week over prosecutors’ objections. Read our work on Williams’ fight to prove his innocence of a 1990 murder and State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke’s campaign against the sought-after court orders (w/@boltsmag.org)

Injustice Watch@injusticewatch.org · 3mo ago

Tyrece Williams is seeking a certificate of innocence in part to give his four children an official acknowledgement that what happened to their family was wrong. He watched his children grow up largely through photographs his family mailed to him in prison. (w/ @boltsmag.org) buff.ly/GAxhSl8

Nearly 100 people from across the country attended our recent webinar about forensic science oversight. If you missed it, check out the recording.

Webinar: Toxic evidence in the courtroom

In Illinois, flawed scientific practices at accredited crime labs have contributed to wrongful convictions. On June 23, 2026, Injustice Watch hosted a webinar about forensic science oversight in…

youtu.be

If you’re an attorney, a litigant, or a court watcher, there’s a good chance you know a judge who will be on the ballot this fall. Check out the list of Cook County judges up for retention and submit a tip to inform our next judicial election guide. buff.ly/Ygwa2AT

We've been thrilled to publish ambitious projects all month in collaborations with wonderful newsrooms: @azmirror.com, @themarshallproject.org, @thelensnola.bsky.social, @injusticewatch.org, @boulderrl.bsky.social. Editorial partnerships really enrich journalism, and you'll see that in this thread!

Michael Barajas@michaelbarajas.bsky.social · last mo.

working w/ other journalism startups has been key to our work since launching @boltsmag.org but wow June has been big for us. nearly every story we published this month was a collaboration w/ a local newsroom. i think many of these punch far above the weight of our small orgs bc we combined forces 🧵

2/ we also worked w/ @injusticewatch.org on the latest in our series exploring the shifting policies and approach to exonerations in Cook County, the national leader in known wrongful convictions aand I'm happy to say we've got more stuff cooking, watch for another collab from us in the next month!

In Illinois, Legislation and a Court Ruling Could Help People Move On After Wrongful Convictions  - Bolts

Days after an appeals court ruled that some people should automatically get certificates of innocence, Illinois legislators passed a bill to raise compensation for wrongful convictions.

boltsmag.org

The rise in habeas corpus cases is a nationwide phenomenon, which comes in response to a Trump administration policy that said most immigrants picked up by ICE were not eligible to be released on bond, reversing longstanding practice. (w/ @raceandequityproject.org) buff.ly/r3QK7ce

Immigrants in Illinois are finding success challenging their detention in federal court

Hundreds of Illinois immigrants have filed wrongful detention lawsuits since the Trump Administration’s Operation Midway Blitz began in September. Many of them have U.S. citizen children and longtime…

injusticewatch.org

To keep their seats, Cook County judges need 60% of voters to say “yes” to retaining them. 61 judges are up for retention this November. We're researching all of them for our judicial election guide — and we want your help.

What can you tell us about these Cook County judges running for retention?

We’re researching the Cook County judges running for another term in November for our judicial election guide. Have something to share? Let us know.

buff.ly

Thanks for coming to our summer social + fundraiser! We had a blast seeing old friends and meeting new ones over drinks, food, and games. With your help, we met our fundraising goal and will be able to add 50 distribution sites for our fall judicial election guide. We couldn't do this without you.

Hundreds of Illinois immigrants have filed wrongful detention lawsuits since the Trump Administration’s Operation Midway Blitz began in September. Many of them have U.S. citizen children and longtime community ties. (Co-published with @raceandquityproject.org)

Immigrants in Illinois are finding success challenging their detention in federal court

Hundreds of Illinois immigrants have filed wrongful detention lawsuits since the Trump Administration’s Operation Midway Blitz began in September. Many of them have U.S. citizen children and longtime…

buff.ly

Starting in a few hours. There’s still time to RSVP!

Injustice Watch@injusticewatch.org · last mo.

TOMORROW: Join us for a conversation about crime lab oversight. Panelists include: 🔹 Kate Judson, Center for Integrity in Forensic Sciences 🔹 Sarah Chu, Cardozo School of Law 🔹 Peter Stout, Houston Forensic Science Center 🔹 Amy Watroba, Illinois Forensic Science Commission buff.ly/5Ceqd22

📻️ Catch senior reporter @danhinkel.bsky.social on WVON this morning at 10:30 a.m. discussing his reporting on about an Illinois court ruling and bill that could affect wrongfully convicted people seeking certificates of innocence. Listen at wvon.com or 1960AM on your radio dial.

WVON Home Page - WVON

wvon.com

TOMORROW: Join us for a conversation about crime lab oversight. Panelists include: 🔹 Kate Judson, Center for Integrity in Forensic Sciences 🔹 Sarah Chu, Cardozo School of Law 🔹 Peter Stout, Houston Forensic Science Center 🔹 Amy Watroba, Illinois Forensic Science Commission buff.ly/5Ceqd22

Our summer social at KOVAL is tomorrow! We hope you can join us for cocktails and opportunities to learn more about our reporting and community engagement work. We’ll also have merch and exciting raffle bundles. Grab a ticket and bring a friend — see you there!

Injustice Watch Summer Social and Fundraiser

Join us for a fun summer evening celebrating public service journalism!

buff.ly