Chicago Justice Podcast

Tracy Siska
  • 4.3 (3)
  • Non-Profit
  • Updated Weekly

The Chicago Justice Podcast takes apart the stories we’re told about crime and public safety. It doesn’t sanitize the truth about crime and justice—it interrogates it. We dig into the data, the policies, and the power structures that shape who gets punished, who gets protected, and who gets ignored. Some conversations are uncomfortable. Others are infuriating. All of them are necessary. Through data-driven analysis and hard, unfiltered conversations with researchers, reform advocates, and people challenging the system from the inside, each episode dismantles the myths that dominate public debate. From racial bias and police violence to surveillance, incarceration, and policy failures that devastate communities, we reveal how justice actually works—and who it really serves. If you’re willing to question what you’ve been told, confront what’s broken, and wrestle with what real accountability and safety could actually look like, this podcast is for you.

  1. 17h ago

    The Right to Know Under Threat? California’s AB 1821 Explained with Sean McMorris

    California’s public records law is designed to give residents access to government information, but proposed changes to Assembly Bill 1821 (AB 1821) could significantly reshape how that access works in practice. In this episode, we sit down with Sean McMorris, Transparency, Ethics & Accountability Program Manager at California Common Cause, to discuss the ongoing debate surrounding AB 1821 and what it could mean for government transparency, public oversight, and the public’s right to know. Sean breaks down the bill’s proposed amendments, including provisions that could increase costs for public records requesters, extend response times for government agencies, require requesters to disclose why they want records, and, in certain circumstances, allow government entities to challenge or sue requesters based on their intended use of the information. We explore the broader implications for journalists, watchdog groups, community organizations, researchers, and everyday citizens who rely on public records laws to hold government accountable. What is at stake for transparency in California, and how could these changes affect the future of public access to government information? Whether you’re concerned about open government, freedom of information, public accountability, or civic engagement, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Topics covered: California Assembly Bill 1821 (AB 1821) Public records and FOIA-style laws Government transparency and accountability Open government and ethics reform Access to public information Public records request costs and delays Civic engagement and democracy California Common Cause

  2. Aug 10

    The NYPD’s Secretive Community Response Team: Misconduct, Power, and Accountability

    What happens when a police unit operates outside traditional oversight and is staffed by officers with troubling disciplinary histories? In this episode, we take a deep dive into the New York Police Department’s Community Response Team (CRT), a controversial unit that has drawn scrutiny for its aggressive tactics, alleged constitutional violations, and lack of accountability. We examine reporting that raises serious questions about the unit’s operations, including allegations that CRT officers repeatedly engaged in unconstitutional stops, searches, and enforcement actions. Our discussion also explores the makeup of the unit itself, including the significant number of officers assigned to CRT who have histories of sustained misconduct complaints. We unpack what that says about police culture, leadership, and the broader challenges of reform. Perhaps most troubling, we examine claims that the unit functioned outside the NYPD’s traditional chain of command, with key decisions allegedly driven directly by Mayor Eric Adams’ office rather than department leadership. What does this mean for transparency, accountability, and democratic oversight of policing? Joining us is Eric Umansky, Editor-at-Large at ProPublica, whose investigative reporting helped uncover the inner workings of the CRT and the political dynamics surrounding the unit. This is a critical conversation about policing, public accountability, constitutional rights, and who really controls law enforcement in one of the nation’s largest cities.

  3. Aug 4

    Who Is Being Watched? The Geography of ALPR Surveillance

    More than 100,000 Automated License Plate Reader cameras are now operating across the United States, feeding data into networks shared by thousands of police departments and federal agencies. But where are these cameras located, and who is most affected by this growing surveillance infrastructure? In this episode, we speak with Professor Steven Keener of Christopher Newport University, first author of the recent study “Surveillance Inequality: Race, Poverty, and the Geography of Automated License Plate Reader Deployment.“ Together, we explore the findings of the research and what they reveal about the relationship between surveillance, race, poverty, and community impact. As part two of our series on Flock Safety and ALPR technology, this conversation examines how these systems work, how data is shared among more than 3,000 law enforcement agencies, and why these developments are generating growing concern among researchers, advocates, and community members.

  4. Jul 26

    Flock Security and the Rise of Mass Vehicle Surveillance | Featuring Jon McCray Jones

    In this episode, we begin a special series examining the rapid expansion of Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology and the growing privacy and civil liberties concerns surrounding its use. Flock Security, one of the nation’s largest ALPR providers, reports that more than 100,000 cameras have been deployed across the United States. These cameras collect detailed information about vehicles, including license plate numbers, make, model, color, distinctive features, and the precise location and time of capture. Much of this data is accessible through a centralized network used by thousands of law enforcement agencies, raising important questions about surveillance, accountability, data sharing, and constitutional protections. To help unpack how these systems work, what information they collect, and how they are increasingly being used by local police departments, we are joined by Jon McCray Jones, Policy Analyst with the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin. Together, we explore the capabilities of Flock cameras, concerns about warrantless access to vehicle location data, the potential for misuse, and the broader implications for privacy in an era of expanding surveillance technologies. This is the first installment of a multipart series investigating ALPR systems, their impact on communities, and the policy debates shaping their future. Topics discussed: What Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) are and how they work Flock Security’s nationwide camera network Vehicle tracking, data collection, and retention practices Information-sharing among thousands of law enforcement agencies Privacy, civil liberties, and Fourth Amendment concerns Transparency, oversight, and accountability challenges The potential role of federal agencies and data access questions What communities should know about surveillance technology in their neighborhoods Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts to help more listeners find these important conversations about privacy, policing, and civil liberties in America.

  5. Jul 4

    When Official Stories Collapse: The Brandon Webster Murder

    What really happened on New Year’s Day 2019 when North Carolina State Highway Patrol troopers shot and killed Brandon Webster? For years, the official account of the shooting was accepted by law enforcement leaders, government officials, and the media. But behind the scenes, an internal investigation uncovered evidence showing that the trooper’s version of events could not have happened as reported. Despite those findings, both the Highway Patrol’s internal review and an investigation by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation ultimately upheld the official narrative. This week, we’re joined by Joseph Neff of The Marshall Project, whose reporting exposed the contradictions, the buried evidence, and the troubling questions surrounding the investigations that followed Webster’s death. Together, we examine how official narratives take hold, why conflicting facts were ignored, and what this case reveals about accountability, transparency, and police oversight. Listen as we unpack one of North Carolina’s most disturbing law enforcement cover-ups and the reporting that brought the truth to light.

  6. Jun 6

    Beyond Qualified Immunity: How Police Avoid Accountability

    In this episode, we sit down with Joanna C. Schwartz, UCLA law professor and author of Shielded: How the Police Became Untouchable, to unpack the hidden systems that protect police from consequences. We go beyond the headlines about qualified immunity to explore what really blocks accountability: Why most police misconduct lawsuits fail before trial How courts, police departments, and legal rules work together to “shield” officers The surprising truth about who actually pays when lawsuits succeed Why internal discipline systems rarely deliver justice What reforms could actually change the system Grounded in real cases, data, and decades of research, Schwartz reveals a reality most people never see: accountability doesn’t just break down in court—it fails at every stage. If you care about policing, civil rights, or how legal systems actually work in practice, this conversation is essential listening.

  7. May 22

    Because I Got Raided: Afroman, Police Power, and a Lawsuit That Backfired”

    This week, we break down the controversial 2022 raid of Grammy-nominated rapper Afroman’s home by Adams County Sheriff’s deputies and the legal fallout that followed. Acting on claims from a confidential informant alleging kidnapped women, a “sex dungeon,” and large quantities of marijuana, officers executed a warrant that ultimately uncovered none of it. In fact, there wasn’t even a basement. Joining us is Afroman’s attorney, Dr. David Osborne, who walks us through the critical legal questions at the heart of the case, from the reliability of the informant to the steps deputies did or didn’t take to verify the allegations before obtaining the warrant. We also dive into the aftermath. Afroman used home security footage from the raid in a series of music videos tied to his 18th studio album, and seven deputies later filed a civil lawsuit alleging defamation and invasion of privacy. Was this a failure of police procedure, a breakdown in judicial oversight, or something more? Tune in as we unpack the facts, the law, and what this case could mean for accountability in law enforcement. What we cover: How a single informant’s claims led to a full-scale raid The warrant process and probable cause questions What deputies found and didn’t find The legal battle over Afroman’s use of the footage Broader implications for civil liberties and police accountability 🎧 Subscribe, rate, and review to support the show and never miss an episode analyzing the most pressing issues in criminal justice.

  8. Apr 29

    Crime, Fear, and Power: Why We’re Taking a National Focus

    How politics, media, and institutions distort crime narratives across America Fear has become the dominant framework for how Americans understand crime—and it is often deliberately manufactured. In this episode of the Chicago Justice Podcast, host Tracy Siska, Executive Director of the Chicago Justice Project, introduces a new national focus for the show. We examine how crime and violence are exploited by political leaders, media outlets, justice system officials, and police unions to shape public perception, deflect accountability, and justify extreme policy responses. Despite well‑documented declines in violent crime across much of the country from 2022 through 2025, fear‑based narratives persist. Isolated incidents are amplified, progress is denied, and national trends are ignored when they complicate political agendas. This episode challenges the myths surrounding crime “waves,” questions who benefits from public fear, and explores how distorted narratives can lead to real‑world consequences—including militarized responses and the erosion of democratic accountability. This episode marks the beginning of our expanded national lens on public safety, justice, and truth.

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Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Chicago Justice Podcast takes apart the stories we’re told about crime and public safety. It doesn’t sanitize the truth about crime and justice—it interrogates it. We dig into the data, the policies, and the power structures that shape who gets punished, who gets protected, and who gets ignored. Some conversations are uncomfortable. Others are infuriating. All of them are necessary. Through data-driven analysis and hard, unfiltered conversations with researchers, reform advocates, and people challenging the system from the inside, each episode dismantles the myths that dominate public debate. From racial bias and police violence to surveillance, incarceration, and policy failures that devastate communities, we reveal how justice actually works—and who it really serves. If you’re willing to question what you’ve been told, confront what’s broken, and wrestle with what real accountability and safety could actually look like, this podcast is for you.

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