Illinois is one of only a handful of states who still convict 17-year-olds as adults for non violent crimes. Most of the teens charged with felonies in Cook County were black and from poor neighborhoods. In most cases, those teens pleaded guilty to the crimes, regardless of whether they had a private lawyer or public defender.  In many cases, the teens were sentenced to adult prison on their charges, many of which were nonviolent offenses.

The Chicago Reporter invites you to join them in launching the September/October issue on September 9, 2010 at M Lounge. Pick up a free copy of the issue and talk with the editors and reporters about the startling statistics on youth incarceration in Illinois.

Thursday, September 9, 2010; 6:00 p.m. – 8: 00 p.m.

M Lounge 1520 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60605

The Chicago Reporter is published by the Community Renewal Society. The Reporter is an award-winning bimonthly print and online newsmagazine that serves as a watchdog of government and other institutions. Community Renewal Society empowers people to build just communities by working to eradicate racism and poverty. It does so by publishing newsmagazines, organizing in progressive communities, providing training, and encouraging individuals and communities in sustained and strategic efforts to create systemic change.