Illinois

Black Residents’ Historic Reparations Program Now Faces Uphill Court Battle

A pioneering reparations plan—born from demolishing Black homes and trapping families in a sewage-flanked ward—now hangs in legal limbo.
03/31/2026

Juliana Stratton’s Illinois Win Puts Another Black Woman on the Brink of the Senate

Illinois’ lieutenant governor survived crypto money, attack ads, and a crowded field. Now she’s favored to become the sixth Black woman ever to serve in the U.S. Senate.
03/18/2026

Minnesota, Illinois Sue Feds Over ICE Agent Surge

State leaders blast massive deployments in Twin Cities and Chicago as unconstitutional invasions, sparking fear, racial profiling, and chaos.
01/13/2026
Sonya Massey

Illinois Deputy Found Guilty of Killing Sonya Massey

A jury delivered a second-degree murder verdict.
10/30/2025
Sonya Massey

Former Illinois Officer Faces Trial in the Fatal Shooting of Sonya Massey

Community members demand justice as proceedings open in Peoria following a deadly police encounter in 2024.
10/22/2025

Illinois Supreme Court Agrees To Hear Appeal From Jussie Smollett

The former “Empire” actor was convicted and sentenced for staging an attack and lying to Chicago police about being the victim of a hate crime.
03/28/2024

Illinois Becomes First State In US To Eliminate Cash Bail That Discriminates Against Poor, People Of Color

Bail reform opponents warn that violent crime would increase, but reform advocates say the data disagrees.
09/19/2023

Illinois Governor Signs 'Racism Free Schools' Act Into Law

The legislation requires Illinois schools “to create, implement, and maintain at least one written policy prohibiting discrimination.
08/08/2023

Biden To Establish National Monument Honoring Emmett Till And Mamie Till-Mobley

Till’s death and his mother’s activism was a catalyst to the Civil Rights Movement, now a monument to them will be erected.
07/24/2023

7 Places Where Reparations Task Forces Are Moving The Issue Forward

Several municipalities are addressing the legacy of slavery with reparations and are taking a variety of approaches.
04/26/2023

Illinois Governor Notes 'White Supremacy Symbol' Connected To Accused July Fourth Mass Shooter

Gov. J.B. Pritzker responded to complaints that Chicago shootings don’t receive equal attention as the Highland Park incident.
07/11/2022