Tag: police brutality

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New U of I database gives more complete picture of police shootings in Illinois

CHAMPAIGN — University of Illinois researchers published a new database last week on police use of force across the state. The SPOTLITE database – short for “Systemic Policing Oversight Through Lethal-Force Incident Tracking Environment” — includes twice as many incidents as Illinois police previously reported. “When we rely solely on administrative reporting by policing agencies,

Urbana City Council Devotes Special Meeting To Police Concerns

The Urbana City Council spent more than three hours Thursday night looking over police issues with members of the community. But council members have put off a discussion of next steps until July. The meeting, called by three city council members,  Jared Miller, Maryalice Wu and Dennis Roberts, featured comments by both community members and

News Around Illinois – June 19, 2020

At Some CPS Schools, Conversations And Peace Circles Will Replace Traditional Punishment When Iysha Jones and her team took over Doolittle Elementary School last year, it was a place where students had trouble talking about how they felt because they expected bad behavior to result in harsh discipline, like suspensions. So Jones was elated when

How To Talk To Kids About Race And Racism, And The Risks Of Staying Silent

With police brutality in the news, parents may be wondering how to talk to their children about racism and White supremacy. These conversations are familiar to Black families, but University of Illinois Professors Shardé Smith and Helen Neville say all families should be having them.  Illinois Newsroom education reporter Lee Gaines recently spoke with Smith,

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News Around Illinois – June 4, 2020

State Lawmakers Call For Special Session Over Police Brutality SPRINGFIELD – At least three Illinois House members say they want a special legislative session to strike on issues of law enforcement reform and accountability while police brutality has the nation’s focus. Representative Curt Tarver (D-Chicago) says among bills he would like to see addressed include

Pritzker Responds To Minnesota Protests; Says Trump Is A Racist

CHICAGO – During his daily COVID-19 briefing, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker responded to protests in Minnesota over the killing of a black man by a white police officer.  Pritzker also reiterated his belief that President Donald Trump is a racist. Pritzker expressed condolences to all African-Americans and in particular to the family of George Floyd.