Congrats to @mdoukmas.bsky.social and Verónica on this well-deserved honor! Take some time this weekend to read the winning piece if you haven't yet: www.injusticewatch.org/project/fore...

On April 27, senior reporter Carlos Ballesteros will be part of a panel discussion on housing coverage. Learn more and RSVP here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Read the investigation here: buff.ly/IGLCVLo

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.

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

I know video series such as Criterion Closet Picks, “What’s in My Bag?” from Amoeba Music, and the Severin Cellar are just selling me things, but they’re things I want to be sold. I use these clips — in which musicians and actors and directors recommend movies and albums — to build out my ever-expanding lists of art I want to check out. A favorite metal band, Blood Incantation, put me onto ambient and prog gems. Ryan Coogler reminded me of movies I need to see. Director Joe Dante highlighted horror oddities. I can’t escape consumerism, but I can try to be an interesting mark. —Dan Hinkel, senior reporter

Today's @injusticewatch.org newsletter has a little update to my reporting on the former CPD detective Brian Forberg, the subject of many allegations of coercion. And, in lighter news, my admission that I find Criterion Closet Picks and the like very enriching.

www.injusticewatch.org/subscribe/

Cook County’s conviction integrity unit repeatedly denied freedom to incarcerated people who were later cleared Still in prison after 18 years despite the flimsy evidence of his guilt, Kevin Jackson tore open the letter from the Cook County conviction integrity unit

Despite its celebrated record of exonerating more people than any comparable unit nationwide, we found 21 people who were denied relief by the Cook County Conviction Integrity Unit before flawed evidence later led to their exonerations. (Published February 2025) buff.ly/Ggux7AN

Congratulations to the finalists for the 2026 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting! Their work is shaping the future of accountability journalism in Chicago and Illinois.
https://bit.ly/4pVG4ND

Hey fyi today's Local News Day, "a national day of action connecting people to local, independent, and trusted news sources." If you love @injusticewatch.org, if you use our #CheckYourJudges guide to vote, show us some love to keep powering these efforts! www.injusticewatch.org/donate/

Subscribe to Injustice Watch Sign up for our weekly newsletter to stay up to date on the Cook County court system.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter: buff.ly/vZ9ZPTi

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

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#LocalNewsDay

Today is #LocalNewsDay, a day to celebrate and support the local news orgs you trust and rely on.

If you've used @injusticewatch.org's judicial election guide or learned something from one of our investigations about the court system, we're asking you to help amplify and support our work today.

March 2026 Cook County Judicial Election Guide | Injustice Watch Injustice Watch's guide to the March 2026 Cook County judicial primary elections.

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

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.

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...

Illinois fails to collect wages owed to workers in Cook County Wage theft cases get stalled out in Cook County Court, where it can take years for workers to receive payment they're owed — if they receive it at all.

Illinois has strengthened its labor laws and improved efforts to collect stolen wages. But hundreds of cases linger in Cook County court, leaving workers waiting years to be fully compensated, an Injustice Watch investigation found. (Published December 2025) buff.ly/SbhyYtj

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

Watch the segment here: www.youtube.com/watch?si=DOT...

Steps Illinois lawmakers could take to reform the state’s tax sale laws The Illinois General Assembly is considering a trio of bills that would amend the state’s tax sale laws to make sure that homeowners are fairly

Advocates say reforms to Illinois’ property tax sale system — from lowering the tax burden to shielding seniors and people with disabilities from the tax sale process — are long overdue. Read our latest collaboration w/ the Investigative Project on Race and Equity. buff.ly/TJMTSFN

State forensic science commission blasts UIC over rogue crime lab The Illinois Forensic Science Commission called on the university to conduct a proper audit of its lab, which has been responsible for nearly two dozen wrongful DUI convictions.

📺 Tune in to WGN TV today at 6:30 p.m. to hear senior reporter Maya Dukmasova discuss her recent reporting on the Illinois Forensic Science Commission's statement about a now-shuttered toxicology lab at the University of Illinois Chicago.

Steps Illinois lawmakers could take to reform the state’s tax sale laws The Illinois General Assembly is considering a trio of bills that would amend the state’s tax sale laws to make sure that homeowners are fairly

Advocates say reforms to Illinois’ property tax sale system — from lowering the tax burden to shielding seniors and people with disabilities from the tax sale process — are long overdue.

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!

Steps Illinois lawmakers could take to reform the state’s tax sale laws The Illinois General Assembly is considering a trio of bills that would amend the state’s tax sale laws to make sure that homeowners are fairly

In New York City, property tax sales must exclude properties owned by seniors or homeowners with disabilities. Cook County Public Guardian Charles Golbert said Illinois lawmakers could consider following New York City’s example. (w/ @raceandequityproject.org) buff.ly/TJMTSFN

NBC News journalists receive 2025 Shaufler Prize in Journalism from Cronkite School | ASU News A team of NBC News journalists received first prize in the 2025 Shaufler Prize in Journalism during an awards ceremony held March 24 at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication…

Senior reporter Carlos Ballesteros and Investigative Project on Race and Equity reporter Emeline Posner won second place in the professional category of the 2025 Shaufler Prize for their investigation of Illinois’ property tax foreclosure system. Congrats, Emeline and Carlos! buff.ly/4ouAGkh

Instead, the county would be required to sell tax-delinquent properties at auction to collect taxes and return any proceeds that remain to homeowners.

Steps Illinois lawmakers could take to reform the state’s tax sale laws The Illinois General Assembly is considering a trio of bills that would amend the state’s tax sale laws to make sure that homeowners are fairly

Under a bill being considered by the Illinois General Assembly, private investors would no longer be able to purchase property tax debts in Cook County. (w/ @raceandequityproject.org) buff.ly/TJMTSFN

Steps Illinois lawmakers could take to reform the state’s tax sale laws The Illinois General Assembly is considering a trio of bills that would amend the state’s tax sale laws to make sure that homeowners are fairly

NEW: The Illinois General Assembly is considering a trio of bills that would amend the state’s property tax sale laws. Here’s what’s in the bills — and what additional reforms advocates say are needed. (w/ @raceandequityproject.org) www.injusticewatch.org/project/take...

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.

ICYMI: @injusticewatch.org breaks down the Cook County judicial primaries.

Three appointed judges were rejected by voters, more than half the races were uncontested, & some candidates advanced despite negative bar ratings.

Read the full roundup here. www.injusticewatch.org/judges/judic...

State forensic science commission blasts UIC over rogue crime lab The Illinois Forensic Science Commission called on the university to conduct a proper audit of its lab, which has been responsible for nearly two dozen wrongful DUI convictions.

The Illinois Forensic Science Commission called on the University of Illinois Chicago to immediately conduct a “comprehensive audit” led by an independent organization staffed with scientific experts qualified to evaluate lab operations.

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.

Here are some of the Cook County judicial election results we’re paying attention to. buff.ly/NeVFAaE

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.

In case you missed it: Here are the Cook County judicial election results (so far). Official results will be declared by April 7.