217 Today: How tattoo removal could give some incarcerated Illinoisans a blank slate

Sammi Agonis, a tattoo artist, works on covering up two tattoos for Terrell, who’s incarcerated at DuPage County Jail, on July 31, 2025

Friday, August 22, 2025

Today’s headlines: 

  • OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center is working toward expanding services for behavioral health.
  • Illinois Congresswoman Robin Kelly says Democrats need to do more to push back against the Republican policy agenda.
  • The number of people living in Illinois illegally grew to 550-thousand in 2023 up by 150 thousand from the year before.
  • Insurance industry officials are urging Illinois lawmakers not to give the state more authority to regulate homeowners insurance premiums.

In today’s deep dive, ​​tattoo removal programs could help people in Illinois prisons and jails find a fresh start.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Orellana. Reporting today contributed by Arjun Thakkar, Mae Antar, Capitol News Illinois, the Associated Press and Lauren Frost.

Stephanie Orellana