News Stories

Unveiling the Impact of Firearms in Illinois: Insights from the IVDRS

The Illinois Violent Death Reporting System (IVDRS) under the Buehler Center for Health Policy and Economics tracks violent deaths across the state and adds nuance to the bigger picture. Through analysis of suicides and homicide-suicides in Illinois, IVDRS researchers confirmed a high prevalence of firearms in these cases. Let’s explore what this means in context.

Reevaluating Plea Bargains: Unintended Consequences on Wrongful Convictions

From depictions in the media, it’s easy to assume the criminal justice system is centered in courtrooms. 

In reality, less than 3% of federal criminal cases were settled in trial in fiscal year 2022. Rather, the vast majority were settled in plea deals where defendants pleaded guilty in exchange for lighter sentences.