Chicago Justice Project works to make the justice system more transparent and accountable. We believe people deserve access to information about how courts, police, and prosecutors operate in their communities.
We use public records laws to uncover data that is often hidden or difficult to access. When agencies refuse to share information, we take legal action to open those records permanently.
By making this information public, we help communities understand what is happening, identify patterns of harm, and push for meaningful reform that leads to safer and more just systems.
Chicago Justice Project works to make the justice system more transparent and accountable. We believe people deserve access to information about how courts, police, and prosecutors operate in their communities.
We use public records laws to uncover data that is often hidden or difficult to access. When agencies refuse to share information, we take legal action to open those records permanently.
By making this information public, we help communities understand what is happening, identify patterns of harm, and push for meaningful reform that leads to safer and more just systems.
Chicago Justice Project’s research led to the first major reform of the Chicago Police Board in over 50 years.
After reviewing ten years of Board decisions, CJP uncovered troubling patterns. Board members often missed meetings, disciplinary decisions lacked explanation, and officers were far less likely to be fired than civilian employees for similar misconduct. This meant the public had little insight into how serious decisions about police accountability were being made.
As a direct result of CJP’s findings, the Chicago City Council passed reforms requiring individual board votes and written explanations to be published online, setting term limits for board members and leadership, and granting the Board authority to make public policy recommendations. For the first time, residents could see how decisions were made and who was responsible.
This change mattered because transparency builds trust. When the public can access the truth, communities are better equipped to demand fair practices and meaningful reform that makes the justice system work for everyone.
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