Charter supporters rally against bills in Illinois legislature
Illinois General Assembly is considering a dozen bills that could impact charter schools. Charter advocates want lawmakers to see the faces of affected students.
Patrick Smith
Reporter, Criminal Justice
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CTA facing lawsuits over Blue Line crash
Injured passengers allege agency negligence led to derailment, and an attorney predicts more lawsuits will come.
Three dead in 40-car pileup in Northwest Indiana
Crash near Michigan City, Ind. leaves three dead, one seriously injured
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Teens learn radio skills in Chicago police program
The program in the Englewood neighborhood is part of an effort to improve relationships between cops and kids.
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Report: Illinois youth prisons understaffed
A new report commissioned by the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice concludes that youth prisons need better staffing and oversight to prevent sexual misconduct.
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Plan Commission clears way for proposed charter high school
A charter high school that would be paid for with a $20 million private donation got a green light from the Chicago Plan Commission.
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IL campaign pushes kids to report abuse
State child welfare officials say one in five Illinois kids is abused, but adults aren’t doing enough to help.
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Watchdog to judges: Don’t put kids with mental health needs in prison
A new report says mental health treatment for juvenilles is inadequate and blames poor leadership of youth prisons.
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Parents protest CPS closings
About 400 people filled the sidewalk in front of the Chicago Public Schools central office downtown Wednesday morning, demanding that current school board members be fired and replaced by an elected school board.
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Neglected rape kits require Cook County victims to recount assaults
Discovery of 200 uninvestigated rape kits in a Chicago suburb leaves the Cook County Sheriff asking for help from victims.
