Organizers discuss how they are fighting new women’s prisons in Vermont, Massachusetts, and Illinois.

An Illinois State Police database available online listed personal information, including Social Security numbers.

It was “weird” said my friend and witness.

Activists are now watching to see whether the Trump administration will instead further privatize immigration detention.

Bleeding Behind Bars Collaboration w/ Vikki Law

Twenty-two states have laws requiring prisons to provide free menstrual products, but not all of them do.

Understanding Trump-ism from Stephen Miller to Melania.

For more than a year, Urbana city council has been debating a police surveillance ordinance requiring that police share with council when they are purchasing high-tech tools. The idea came about after criticism of Urbana’s ...

As the men’s basketball team played in the Final Four, a speak out against the University of Illinois’ flights with GlobalX.

Get to the Urbana Free Library if you can by this Sunday to see an Underground Railroad exhibit before it’s closed!

Immigration data scientist Austin Kocher talks with activists in St. Louis.

The only “crime” Mary committed was trying to provide her children with a better future.

On December 2, 2025, after two and a half hours of public comment from some 40 community members, Champaign city council voted 9-0 against an ordinance banning public camping, with Mayor Deb Feinen ad...

My winter hibernation reading list.

The Midwest is my beat. Support independent journalism.

Champaign-Urbana participated in a statewide protest on Sunday, November 16, to expose AT&T which is providing the digital infrastructure for Trump’s deportation machine.

A 30-year sentence for Julio Cucul-Bol but pro-Trump father says it’s not enough

My first trip to the Cook County Criminal Courts building

A records requests produced a list of 29 local immigrants under the threat of arrest.

Collected by my neighbor Greg Springer, I'm publishing the stories here.

Some updates of local immigration defense work

The search for my great-uncle who died in the coal mines of Southeast Kansas.

We asked those on the inside about how to resist the growing repression.

As ICE expands its presence across the Midwest, activists fight the reopening of private prisons to jail migrants.

Roofing crew disappeared with barely a trace

What I've been doing when I'm not playing Soccer Dad

ICE arrests resume at the courthouse

Urbana votes for police accountability

ICE has arrived in town, as I confirm in this story.

Threats of ICE raids have yet to materialize.

Yafa Issa, 18-year-old leader in UIUC Students for Justice in Palestine, takes the stand.

Local police chiefs in Champaign-Urbana say they won't be collaborating with federal immigration agents.

Yafa Issa, 18-year-old leader in UIUC Students for Justice in Palestine, takes the stand.

George Christopher found dead in Champaign County jail after suffering a stroke

Officials in Urbana have tabled an ordinance that would require the city’s police department to seek approval before purchasing and using surveillance technology, including license plate readers, faci...

This 20-year prison publication showcases voices from the inside.

The journey to find my grandpa’s favorite dessert.

With bids now open for a facility in Newark, immigrant rights groups are voicing concerns.