ALT A graphic that reads, "Separating Fact from Fiction: Pretrial Electronic Monitoring." Then it includes a false claim from the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board, published on 9/8/2026. "Another obvious problem is the requirement in current law that those on home confinement be given at least two days out in public, unmonitored." The Truth is below this quote, "People on electronic monitoring are monitored 24/7 by GPS tracking. That includes any time spent at home, work or completing essential movement, like getting groceries or seeing the doctor."

ALT Graphic that reads, “Separating Fact from Fiction: Pretrial Electronic Monitoring." It says “The Truth” in bold and has the following fact, “People on pretrial electronic monitoring have not been found guilty of the charges against them. Allowing people to attend to their basic human needs while accused of an offense should not be a radical idea in a developed society.”

ALT Graphic that reads, "Separating Fact from Fiction: Pretrial Electronic Monitoring." Then a false claim from the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board, published on 9/8/2026, “Under state law as it stands, those on electronic monitoring get a minimum of two “free roam” days — typically two eight-hour periods over the course of a week — during which they can go where they please with the monitors turned off." The Truth is below this quote, “The law requires anyone ordered to pretrial home confinement be given movement over no fewer than two days each week to participate in basic activities such as: • Working and seeking employment; • Obtaining medical care; • Attending school and religious services; and • Purchasing groceries or other necessities. The Pretrial Fairness Act does not allow anyone movement for no reason at all, nor does it set the times for movement. All essential movement is set by a judge and can often be 2 hours or 4 hours at a time. GPS tracking is not turned off ever.

ALT Orange graphic with a white outline of the State of Illinois that reads, “The FAIR Act takes effect today, July 1, 2026.” Below that heading, it reads, “The Funded Advocacy & Independent Representation Act creates the Office of the State Public Defender, the first significant state investment in trial-level public defense in Illinois. Today, the law goes into effect and the first step of appointing an 11-member commission begins.” A pop out section in contrast colors reads, “This law is the first step in ensuring that all Illinois residents have access to a well-funded, independent public defender who can protect their rights.”

ALT Blue-green graphic, with a hand holding a megaphone in the bottom left corner. In the middle of the graphic is a piece of notebook paper that reads, “Procedural protections for children sentenced as adults through EJJ passes” in large text. In smaller text it reads, “Thank you to sponsors Representative Dave Vella and Senators Laura Fine and Robert Peters. Learn more.” and two arrows pointing to the right.

ALT Blue-green graphic that reads, “HB5020: Procedural protections for children sentenced as adults through EJJ. Extended Jurisdiction Juvenile (EJJ) sentencing allows prosecutors to request both juvenile and adult sentences for kids in juvenile court. Under current law, the adult sentence is not immediately imposed, but its imposition is mandatory if the young person is accused of any new offense and may be imposed even for simple technical violations of the juvenile sentence. This EJJ sentence is often longer than it would have been for the same offense in adult court. This bill brings EJJ into the 21st Century and makes the law what most people already thought it was by: • Requiring prosecutors to prove by clear and convincing evidence that an adult sentence may be appropriate. • Incorporating youth-centered neurological, developmental, and environmental factors when determining whether to impose EJJ. With two additional bullet points.

ALT Teal graphic with a hand holding a megaphone in the corner. A sheet of paper in the middle of the graphic reads, "Our bill to clarify access to sentence credits for jail programming passes" in very large letters. Under that in smaller text it reads, "Thank you to sponsors Senator Laura Ellman and Representatives Norma Hernandez, Justin Slaughter, Anne Stava, & Diane Blair-Sherlock. Learn more."

ALT Teal graphic with text that reads, "SB3333: Clarify Access to Sentence Credits for Jail Programming. SB3333 will ensure that people in county jails receive sentencing credit for the programs they are completing. Participation in meaningful programming for people in jails benefits their futures and helps to achieve public safety goals. This bill will: Standardize the interpretation of the current law across the state to ensure that people in jail awaiting trial receive sentencing credit for completion of eligible programs. Make the law’s implementation more consistent across the state by ensuring that people participating in parenting programs and work assignments receive sentencing credit, as current statutes intended. Remove overly detailed language about program length that caused confusion, led to arbitrary credit denials, and increased administrative burden on county jails."

ALT Graphic with bold text at the top that reads, "Additional Reporting" next to the logo of the Cook County Public Defender. Under that is a headline from Block Club Chicago that reads, "State's Top DUI Cop Still on Medical Leave Months After Being Accused of 'Fabricating Evidence'." Then there is a pop out quote from Assistant Public Defender Rae Sansonetti that reads, "Once reports start to unravel or start raising red flags, it becomes, how do we know that these are DUIs? All we had to go on was his word. And if we can't trust what you are saying, then it's nothing."