Illinois Public Media News

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Criminal Justice Reform or Abolition?

When it comes to criminal justice, there have been many attempts at “reform” in recent years. Now some are saying the system is beyond repair, and instead should be abolished. We talked with a former jail warden who encourages abolition and the head of the Illinois Justice Project, who wants a different outcome.

A volunteer of Lakeview Pantry listens to Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot speak at a news conference in front of Wrigley Field in Chicago, Thursday, April 16, 2020. The Chicago Cubs are coordinating with the pantry to utilize the field's concourse as a satellite food packing and distribution center to support COVID-19 relief efforts.
AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Is Mutual Aid Now In The Mainstream?

Amidst a summer filled with rising cases of COVID-19 and political unrest, networks across Illinois sprung up to provide resources and services for those in need of them. This voluntary act of solidarity within communities has been coined as “mutual aid,” and the concept has long existed before the pandemic.

The 21st At The Capitol — June 4, 2021 At 7:30 PM

Welcome to The 21st at the Capitol, where we take our weekday show from radio to television to talk about what Illinois lawmakers are doing and how it might affect you. This week, host Brian Mackey is interviewing two proponents of criminal justice reform. Join us at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 5.

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