Appreciate this breakdown from @freedom.press about how the Trump administration has been weaponizing legal orders to intimidate journalists and target leakers pressfreedomtracker.us/blog/leak-hu...

Leak hunting with legal orders

Dear Friend of Press Freedom,Welcome back to your newsletter around press freedom violations in the United States as captured by …

pressfreedomtracker.us

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.

House subpoena of @btnewsroom.bsky.social threatens press freedom. We strongly urge the House Ways and Means Committee to withdraw its subpoena against BreakThrough News and stop using congressional oversight as a tool to retaliate against independent media.

House subpoena of BreakThrough News threatens press freedom

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:New York, July 23, 2026 — In a direct attack on the First Amendment, the House Ways and Means Committee has subpoenaed independent news outlet BreakThrough News, demanding intern...

freedom.press

🧢 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: 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

Join us for a summer social and fundraiser at KOVAL Distillery on Monday, June 22. Enjoy cocktails, food, games, raffle prizes, and learn more about our work. Early bird tickets are $40 and available through June 8. All funds raised will support our next judicial election guide.

Injustice Watch Summer Social and Fundraiser

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

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We won a Local Media Digital Innovation Award in the "Community Engagement" category for “Know Your Building. Know Your Landlord." The multi-platform engagement initiative helped Chicago renters understand building code violations, property ownership, and housing conditions.

2025 LMA Digital Innovation Awards winners

Local Media Association revealed its 2025 Digital Innovation Awards on Wednesday, celebrating the local media organizations, journalists and teams pushing the industry forward through creativity,…

buff.ly

This event is a month away and we've seen a ton of interest in it already. Whether you're a forensic science professional, a legal professional, or just someone who's interested in these issues, join us for a webinar moderated by @mdoukmas.bsky.social. RSVP here: airtable.com/appxuo0SNj05...

Injustice Watch@injusticewatch.org · 2mo ago

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/UvZLEHr

the weekend so far

NEW: The Department of Homeland Security circulated a nationwide “Be on the Lookout” alert targeting comedian Ben Palmer, whose only offense was satire. Read the latest from @aurabogado.bsky.social, copublished with @us.theguardian.com. buff.ly/T9SQHg6

DHS placed a comedian on law enforcement’s radar. Illinois spread the word.

Illinois State Police distributed a federal “Be on the Lookout” alert for comedian Ben Palmer over a satirical immigration tip line that went viral.

injusticewatch.org

www.politico.com/news/magazin...

-the event he’s being indicted over happened 30 years ago -if anyone is responsible for the brothers to the rescue shoot down it’s the US FAA for failing to ground the planes for years -this is such an unwise & unnecessary escalation

Reuters@reuters.com · 3mo ago

LIVE: Members of Congress call for indictment of Raul Castro www.youtube.com/live/RvxnDgn...

Join us Wednesday, June 3, at Walls Turned Sideways for an informal conversation about certificates of innocence: what they are, why they matter, and how Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke is trying to make them harder to get. airtable.com/appxuo0SNj05...

Current reads

One thing we learned from reporting on Illinois’ property tax foreclosure system with the @raceandequityproject.org: Some homeowners — especially older adults — may not realize they’re behind on their property taxes until it’s too late.

Robert Hill spent a decade in prison before being freed in 2017. A judge denied his certificate of innocence petition, so he couldn’t get his conviction expunged. He’s afraid of getting pulled over by police who might see the case on his record. (w/ @boltsmag.org) buff.ly/GAxhSl8

I had the opportunity to profile Chicago's new poet laureate, Mayda Del Valle, for Humboldt Park Magazine. You can read the full piece (for free!) by entering your email address here: www.humboldtparkinchicago.com

From my story: Kevin Jackson served 23 years before his exoneration. Prosecutors want to block a court order formally clearing his name. He wants that in-part because he hopes it will help him get a passport. He's set on visiting Bora Bora, which he learned about in prison via Anthony Bourdain.

Injustice Watch@injusticewatch.org · 3mo ago

NEW: Certificates of innocence are court orders that can make it easier for exonerated people to get jobs and housing. Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke is trying to make them harder to get. (w/ @boltsmag.org) buff.ly/GAxhSl8

Senior reporter Maya Dukmasova and visual reporter Verónica Martinez won the 2026 McElheny Award for “Fake Science, Faulty Methods, Misleading Testimony." Judges applauded the skillful storytelling, which “weaved impactful scenes with science, accountability, and human stories.” buff.ly/WlNcREA

Investigation Into Rogue Toxicology Lab Wins 2026 McElheny Award

Reporting by the Chicago-based newsroom Injustice Watch exposed a lab tied to more than a dozen wrongful convictions for driving under the influence.

injusticewatch.org

4️⃣ Online video is very popular amongst young audiences, but many still prefer to read Adults under 25 are more likely than older groups to favor listening to or watching news online, but the preference for reading is still ahead in most markets.

Today we published a report on younger news audiences. Authored by Craig T. Robertson, @amyrossarguedas.bsky.social @mitalilive.bsky.social and @richardfletcher.bsky.social, it's based on DNR and other surveys Full report reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/understandin... Seven findings in thread

Israel killed three journalists in one day in Gaza and Lebanon. This isn’t just a tragedy. It’s a pattern enabled by impunity — and by U.S. political and military backing. Israel has killed at least 257 journalists in five countries since 2023, according to @pressfreedom.bsky.social.

Israel kills 3 journalists in Gaza and Lebanon in one day; CPJ calls for international action - Committee to Protect Journalists

New York, April 8, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns in the strongest terms the killing of at least three journalists in Lebanon and Gaza by Israel in one day, at least one of which w...

cpj.org

Today is the first annual Local News Day, a national day of action connecting people to local, independent, and trusted news sources. Join us in celebrating by subscribing to our free newsletter, sending our stories to a friend, or making a donation to support our work. givebutter.com/lasDtm

Check out our election results page to see the final percentage of the vote each Cook County judicial candidate received in the March primary. buff.ly/B2of5A4

March 2026 Cook County Judicial Election Guide | Injustice Watch

Injustice Watch's guide to the March 2026 Cook County judicial primary elections.

2026primary.injusticewatch.org

Yesterday, the Chicago Board of Elections and Cook County Clerk's Office announced the official results of the March 2026 primary election. Our judicial elections results story is now updated to reflect who will fill each judicial vacancy in Cook County. www.injusticewatch.org/judges/judic...

Judicial election results: Three appointed judges rejected by voters in Cook County judicial primaries

Voters had no choice in more than half the races, which were uncontested. Several candidates won despite negative ratings from local bar groups.

injusticewatch.org

Honored to be named as a finalist in four Lisagor categories, especially best newsletter. I’m biased but I think the Injustice Watch newsletter is informative AND beautiful. Subscribe! www.injusticewatch.org/subscribe/

Injustice Watch@injusticewatch.org · 4mo ago

Members of our team are finalists for Peter Lisagor Awards across 11 categories. The winners will be announced May 8. Congratulations to all the finalists! buff.ly/gPmFhkh

Community engagement manager Charles Preston won the 2026 Dr. Timuel D. Black Award for Civic Engagement. The award recognizes those who demonstrate "a commitment to elevating community narratives, engaging in active citizenship, and building a more fair and just society." Congratulations, Charles!