ACLU of Illinois

Lombard resident Deb Robertson, 65, who has been diagnosed with terminal neuroendocrine carcinoma, advocates for right-to-die legislation in Illinois. The proposed bill would allow a mentally capable, terminally ill adult with a prognosis of six months or less the option to obtain prescription medication that would end their life.

Should Illinois become 11th state to adopt 'right to die' legislation?

Tina Sfondeles

A bill filed on Thursday would allow qualified individuals, not medical professionals, to self-administer a medication to end their lives. There is of course opposition to such measures, specifically from the Catholic and evangelical communities.

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, 6201 S. Emerald Dr., on May 13, 2019.

Government, Politics & Issues

Former Illinois children's division worker alleges kids, staff at risk amid worker shortage

Edith Brady-Lunny

In a progress report compiled by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services for fiscal year 2023, the agency noted “unprecedented staff turnover impacts the accuracy, comprehensiveness, and consistency of ongoing assessments of risk and safety.”

The Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center in Benton, Illinois, was called a “facility in crisis” by state auditors last year.

Law & Order

Judge closes southern Illinois juvenile detention center after failing to meet new standards

Molly Parker

The chief judge over the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center in rural southern Illinois abruptly moved to close it as of Dec. 31, citing staffing shortages that made it difficult to meet new state standards governing the treatment of youth in custody.

Heidi Mueller, who previously served as the state’s director of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice, was named director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services on Wednesday in Springfield, Ill.

Government, Politics & Issues

Pritzker names new Illinois DCFS director after years of agency troubles

Beth Hundsdorfer

The troubled Illinois agency charged with the protection of abused and neglected children will have new leadership in the new year.

A 2022 state audit identified the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center in Benton, Illinois, as a “facility in crisis.”

Law & Order

Inside Illinois’ youth lockups, children go without basic services and face 'excessive' punishments

Molly Parker

State audits point to troubling conditions in juvenile detention centers, but no agency has strong enough oversight to bring about change.

From 2014 to 2018, 25.6 percent of the people who Granite City said violated its crime-free housing rules were accused of offenses that didn't happen at the home of the renters facing eviction for it.

Other

Granite City Crime-Free Housing Rules Displace Hundreds — Even Those Not Accused Of Crimes

Editor's note: This story was originally published in the Belleville News-Democrat.GRANITE CITY — An 83-year-old man was in the hospital with lung cancer…

After a hearing at the Southern District of Illinois' U.S. District Court, a judge will determine whether the state of Illinois must begin changing its procedures for medically treating transgender prisoners. July 31, 2019.

Health, Science & Environment

Illinois State Prisons Must Overhaul Medical Care For Transgender Prisoners, Judge Rules

Kae M. Petrin

A federal judge has ordered Illinois state prisons to immediately overhaul their policies for providing medical care to transgender inmates. Currently,…

Health, Science & Environment

Lawsuit Alleges Illinois Prison Policies Jeopardize Health Of Transgender Inmates

Kae M. Petrin

Updated at 6:30 p.m., Aug. 1 with testimony from Illinois Department of Corrections officials — The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois wants a…