217 Today: One man’s re-entry charts a path for more formerly incarcerated people to buy homes

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Anthony stands in the backyard of his new home. Anthony is now the second First Followers client who has purchased a home after returning from prison.
  • Photo: Farrah Anderson / Illinois Public Media

Monday, February 19, 2024

Today’s headlines: 

  • Police have reclassified the shooting of Brandon Hardway as a homicide, following his death over the weekend.
  • The federal government has sent out letters to the governors of 44 states this month, including Illinois, calling for them to improve efficiency for food assistance applications.
  • Labor unions are targeting two far-right state lawmakers in southern Illinois by funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars toward their primary opponents.
  • The number 14 overall Fighting Illini men’s basketball team defeated the Maryland Terrapins on the road Saturday.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn more about how one man’s journey to homeownership is helping a local re-entry group consider how they can help other clients purchase their own homes.

Reporting today contributed by Jim Meadows, Natalie Krebs, Alex Degman, Colin Hislope and Farrah Anderson.

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Farrah Anderson

Farrah Anderson is a 2024 graduate of the University of Illinois. At Illinois Public Media, Anderson works as a general assignment reporter focusing on police and investigative stories.