Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has launched a statewide Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) to address wrongful convictions and support county prosecutors in their efforts to investigate credible claims of innocence. This new initiative is particularly crucial for counties like Kane, where State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser has struggled to address wrongful convictions due to limited resources. Raoul’s statewide CIU, funded by the Attorney General’s office and a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, aims to fill these gaps by providing centralized support to counties that lack the means for a dedicated unit.
The CIU will primarily review cases involving forcible felonies, where new evidence might exonerate individuals convicted in Illinois state courts. This unit holds particular significance for immigrants, who often face heightened consequences from wrongful convictions, such as deportation or impacts on immigration status. By revisiting cases with credible evidence, the CIU not only seeks to prevent wrongful imprisonment but also to protect immigrant communities from the unjust and life-altering effects of a conviction error.
Applications are available in English and Spanish, ensuring accessibility for incarcerated individuals across Illinois, including immigrant communities. The CIU’s collaboration with local state’s attorneys’ offices will help safeguard the rights of immigrants and promote trust and accountability within the justice system.
By providing both financial support and legal resources to investigate wrongful convictions, Illinois’s CIU reinforces the state’s commitment to a fairer, more inclusive criminal justice system that serves all residents equitably.
