This week, senior reporter Maya Dukmasova participated in a panel at the Home Illinois Summit focused on media approaches to covering homelessness and housing — and how reporters can build trust with vulnerable people who take a risk to share their personal stories. (Photo by Jonathan Castillo)

In case you missed it: Check out the full conversation with @danhinkel.bsky.social, here. news.wttw.com/2026/05/12/i...

Thanks for having me on to talk through my story for @injusticewatch.org & @boltsmag.org!

Today, I spoke w/ @danhinkel.bsky.social of @injusticewatch.org. Dan explains how Cook County State Attorney, Eileen O'Neill Burke, is fighting to keep exonerated people from getting certificates of their innocence. open.spotify.com/episode/3Y5V...

We're thrilled to share that Katharine Keller, an experienced nonprofit fundraising professional, is joining our team as director of development. Welcome, Katharine! www.injusticewatch.org/staff-news/2...

Senior reporter Dan Hinkel is featured in the IRE Journal, a magazine for investigative reporters, discussing the reporting process behind “Denying Innocence,” his series on Cook County’s approach to innocence claims.

We’re hosting an article club at Walls Turned Sideways to discuss senior reporter Dan Hinkel’s story about certificates of innocence. Join us to go behind the scenes of Dan’s reporting and learn how Cook County's state’s attorney is changing her office’s approach to innocence claims. buff.ly/LOrZp9N

A new investigation by @injusticewatch.org reporter @danhinkel.bsky.social revealed that Cook County prosecutors are challenging efforts by wrongfully convicted individuals to clear their names and secure compensation.

Injustice Watch took home three Peter Lisagor Awards last week. Congratulations to senior reporter Carlos Ballesteros, reporter Kelly Garcia, and audience director Maggie Sivit!

Thanks to @wttw.bsky.social & @brandisfriedman.bsky.social for having me on to discuss my story about Cook County prosecutors trying to prevent exonerated people from getting formal declarations of their innocence.

Tune in to WTTW today at 5:30 p.m. CT to catch senior reporter Dan Hinkel on "Chicago Tonight" discussing his recent reporting on how Cook County State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke is changing her office's approach to certificates of innocence. buff.ly/jd9qdbL

Senior reporter Dan Hinkel was named as the runner-up for the 2026 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Award for Investigative Reporting in the small newsroom category for “Denying Innocence." Congratulations, Dan! www.injusticewatch.org/projects/den...

Senior reporter Maya Dukmasova won the 2026 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting in the small newsroom category for “Forensic Failures." Congratulations, Maya! www.injusticewatch.org/project/fore...

Thanks to Mike Stephen and @wgnradio.bsky.social Outside the Loop for having me on to discuss my @injusticewatch.org & @boltsmag.org story on Cook County prosecutors fighting to block exonerated people from being formally declared innocent.

Congrats to @mdoukmas.bsky.social and @danhinkel.bsky.social on taking home 1st and 2nd place in the Driehaus Awards for Investigative Reporting last night! I'm proud of the work our team @injusticewatch.org does to shed light on systemic failures in the court system.

Lots of interesting stuff in the @injusticewatch.org newsletter today, including details on our upcoming "article club" event, where I'll discuss my story on Cook County prosecutors opposing certificates of innocence. www.injusticewatch.org/subscribe/

Rosondunnii Marshall, founder of the Darkroom Chicago, recently started leading film photography workshops at the Cook County Jail. We caught up with her to learn more about her work. Subscribe to our free newsletter to receive the full conversation in your inbox tomorrow. buff.ly/onSIoFY

Tyrece Williams is seeking a certificate of innocence in part to give his four children an official acknowledgement that what happened to their family was wrong. He watched his children grow up largely through photographs his family mailed to him in prison. (w/ @boltsmag.org) buff.ly/GAxhSl8

Tune in to WVON 1690 AM this morning at 9:30 a.m. to hear senior reporter @danhinkel.bsky.social discuss his recent reporting on certificates of innocence. www.wvon.com

Come on out and we'll talk!

Join us Wednesday, June 3, at Walls Turned Sideways for an informal conversation about certificates of innocence: what they are, why they matter, and how Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke is trying to make them harder to get. airtable.com/appxuo0SNj05...

One thing we learned from reporting on Illinois’ property tax foreclosure system with the @raceandequityproject.org: Some homeowners — especially older adults — may not realize they’re behind on their property taxes until it’s too late.

Check out the full conversation with @danhinkel.bsky.social here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KV6f...

Robert Hill spent a decade in prison before being freed in 2017. A judge denied his certificate of innocence petition, so he couldn’t get his conviction expunged. He’s afraid of getting pulled over by police who might see the case on his record. (w/ @boltsmag.org) buff.ly/GAxhSl8

Across the country, only a fraction of wages stolen every year are recovered. Illinois has made efforts to improve collections for workers, but Injustice Watch found the state’s laws are stripped of their power by a slow-moving process. (Published December 2025) buff.ly/znBnWyp

Know someone who’d be a good fit? We’re looking for someone with fundraising experience and a passion for accountability journalism to be our next executive director. www.injusticewatch.org/about/jobs/e...

Roberto Almodovar spent 23 years in prison before prosecutors dropped charges; he keeps his 2017 certificate of innocence framed. Now, a county prosecutor is systematically objecting to certificates for dozens of others. From @danhinkel.bsky.social: www.injusticewatch.org/project/deny...

We’re looking for a visionary leader to serve as our next executive director. Bring your fundraising, strategy, and nonprofit leadership experience to our mission-driven newsroom. buff.ly/f7LKHU0

When fighting against certificates of innocence in court, prosecutors in Eileen O’Neill Burke’s office have repeatedly defended the work of former Chicago police detectives notorious for building wrongful convictions, including Reynaldo Guevara. (w/ @boltsmag.org) buff.ly/GAxhSl8

Tune in to WGN-TV today at 4:30 p.m. CT to hear senior reporter @danhinkel.bsky.social discuss his latest investigation, "Cook County prosecutor fights to block exonerated people from clearing their names." wgntv.com

From my story: Kevin Jackson served 23 years before his exoneration. Prosecutors want to block a court order formally clearing his name. He wants that in-part because he hopes it will help him get a passport. He's set on visiting Bora Bora, which he learned about in prison via Anthony Bourdain.

"Foxx’s prosecutors usually took no position, objecting to only 1 out of every 4 certificates sought by people exonerated in her second term. Burke is almost the opposite: Her office has objected in 4 out of 5." Great reporting by @danhinkel.bsky.social boltsmag.org/chicago-cook...

this is the latest in a powerful series by @danhinkel.bsky.social tracking how officials are weakening policies around innocence claims in the nation's wrongful conviction capital — just as yet another police abuse scandal builds around a former Chicago detective boltsmag.org/chicago-cook...

Cook Co prosecutors are trying to block nearly every exonerated person who is seeking a certificate of innocence, which can help w/ getting jobs, housing and modest state compensation More great digging by @injusticewatch.org on the changing approach to innocence claims by the new state's attny

NEW: Certificates of innocence are court orders that can make it easier for exonerated people to get jobs and housing. Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke is trying to make them harder to get. (w/ @boltsmag.org) buff.ly/GAxhSl8

Do you believe in journalism that centers people impacted by the court system? We’re looking for an executive director to lead our next chapter at Injustice Watch. buff.ly/f7LKHU0

📣 We’re searching for our next executive director. Help us grow our impact and champion independent journalism about the Cook County court system. Salary $150k-$175k. buff.ly/f7LKHU0

Senior reporter Maya Dukmasova is a Nonprofit News Award finalist in the Best Investigative Reporting (Medium Division) category for "Forensic Failures." Congrats, Maya! buff.ly/JyB9PHC

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...

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

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/

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/

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

Some things you can do: 🦋 Follow us on Bluesky: @injusticewatch.org ✉️ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: injusticewatch.org/subscribe. 🗣️ Tell a friend about our work. 💰 Become a monthly donor. We set a goal of 15 new recurring donors by the end of the day. injusticewatch.org/donate #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.

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 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