The “Strapped Down” series investigated the use of restraint chairs in county jails. For the final stories in the series, we’re examining how three other states have addressed the use and misuse of restraint chairs.
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Posted inInvestigating Responses
This Pennsylvania County Banned Restraint Chairs at its Jail. Public Data Was Key.
Jason Porter takes comfort in knowing restraint chairs have been banned from Allegheny County Jail.
He was strapped down in the controversial device for six hours without food or water in 2020. His testimony bolstered by public data helped bring about a ban on restraint chairs at Allegheny County Jail.
Posted inInvestigations
Chicago Cops Did Little to Investigate How a Gun a Judge Turned in to be Destroyed Ended up at a Crime Scene
The revolver that Cook County Judge William Stewart Boyd turned in at a Chicago police gun buyback resurfaced at the scene of a fatal police shooting in Cicero in 2012. Police said it would be “difficult and unwise” to interview anyone involved in the buyback and closed the investigation.
Posted inFollow-Up
After Turbulent Tenure, CHA CEO Tracey Scott Out: ‘Residents Were Suffering In The End’
Scott’s exit after four and a half years is a sign Mayor Brandon Johnson is finally overhauling the CHA, housing advocates say.
Posted inEducation
‘No Schoolers’: How Illinois’ Hands-Off Approach to Homeschooling Leaves Children at Risk
At 9 years old, L.J. started missing school. His parents said they would homeschool him. It took two years — during which he was beaten and denied food — for anyone to notice he wasn’t learning.
Posted inNews
Podcast: Open Primaries with John Opdycke
On this episode of Ready Set Gov, we interview John Opdycke President of a New York nonprofit, Open Primaries. Illinois currently does not have open primaries, which rubs some voters the wrong way. John walks us through how Open Primaries can help voters elect officials that better reflect their views, rather than their party affiliations.
Posted inNews
Podcast: [SPECIAL EPISODE] Gear Up for the Illinois Primary
We sit down with members of the BGA’s Policy Team to go over everything you need to know about the Illinois primary; from how to register, to who is running and what their priorities are.
