In Illinois, when someone is convicted of a crime they didn’t commit and later cleared, the state makes it official with what’s called a certificate of innocence. It allows people to seek monetary compensation from state government, and can help them wipe the case from their record.

Lately, however, that system has been moving in two directions: a state appeals court has ruled some exonerated people should get these certificates automatically, and lawmakers in Springfield just voted to substantially raise the money that comes with them.

But at the same time, the Cook County state’s attorney has been fighting many of petitions for certificates of innocence in court.

Dan Hinkel has been reporting on all of this for the nonprofit newsroom Injustice Watch.

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Dan Hinkel
Reporter, Injustice Watch