What do we owe Illinoisans who were unjustly convicted of crimes?
Roberto Almodovar says his certificate of innocence, from 2017, takes the place of an apology. Taylor Glascock for Injustice Watch
In Illinois, when someone is convicted of a crime they didn't commit and later cleared, the state makes it official with what's called a certificate of innocence. It allows people to seek monetary compensation from state government, and can help them wipe the case from their record.
Lately, however, that system has been moving in two directions: a state appeals court has ruled some exonerated people should get these certificates automatically, and lawmakers in Springfield just voted to substantially raise the money that comes with them.
But at the same time, the Cook County state's attorney has been fighting many of petitions for certificates of innocence in court.
Dan Hinkel has been reporting on all of this for the nonprofit newsroom Injustice Watch.
Discussed
- Illinois bill and court ruling could help more people move on after wrongful convictions
- Cook County prosecutor fights to block exonerated people from clearing their names
- Cook County’s new prosecutor has weakened an already broken system for freeing the innocent
- Cook County’s conviction integrity unit repeatedly denied freedom to incarcerated people who were later cleared
Guest
Dan Hinkel
Reporter, Injustice Watch
