Maya Dukmasova
@mdoukmas.bsky.social
Senior reporter at Injustice Watch. Citizen of Flavortown. Chicago Reader alum. Send your courts tips.
Headshot: Varvara Mikushkina
Cover photo: Brian Cassella
Headshot: Varvara Mikushkina
Cover photo: Brian Cassella
Really need Chicago legal community to come through with TIPS and info about these people running for judge!! The survey is confidential!
Most people running for Cook County judge seats in March are currently attorneys. Do you have experience working with them? Inform our next judicial election guide by sending your tips!
As we work on our next judicial election guide, we want to hear from you: What should voters know about these attorneys and judges? If you recognize any of these names, send us your tips. buff.ly/DlOqYRA
November 27, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Really need Chicago legal community to come through with TIPS and info about these people running for judge!! The survey is confidential!
Reposted by Maya Dukmasova
"I had not touched a cat in 15 years when an orange kitten wandered over to sit with me in the grass one day. I was left without adequate words to describe that experience. It reminded me that I am alive."
When Kittens Came to My Prison, I Had Not Petted One in 15 Years
I had not touched a cat in 15 years when an orange kitten wandered over to sit with me in the grass.
prisonjournalismproject.org
January 31, 2025 at 3:32 AM
"I had not touched a cat in 15 years when an orange kitten wandered over to sit with me in the grass one day. I was left without adequate words to describe that experience. It reminded me that I am alive."
ICYMI in the runup to this news:
@kellygarcia.bsky.social
-reported evidence Dixon may not be living in Cook co
-reported on trial and acquittal of a guard by a judge with a long history of reversals and law enforcement background
-published video that shows what the guard did to a child at JTDC
@kellygarcia.bsky.social
-reported evidence Dixon may not be living in Cook co
-reported on trial and acquittal of a guard by a judge with a long history of reversals and law enforcement background
-published video that shows what the guard did to a child at JTDC
NEW: Head of the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center is stepping down Dec. 1 after a decade-long tenure marked by controversy.
(nothing like a good old friday news dump)
www.injusticewatch.org/juvenile-cou...
(nothing like a good old friday news dump)
www.injusticewatch.org/juvenile-cou...
Leonard Dixon stepping down as head of Cook County juvenile detention center
The superintendent of one of the country’s largest juvenile jails is resigning Dec. 1 after a decade-long tenure marked by controversy.
www.injusticewatch.org
November 21, 2025 at 1:10 AM
ICYMI in the runup to this news:
@kellygarcia.bsky.social
-reported evidence Dixon may not be living in Cook co
-reported on trial and acquittal of a guard by a judge with a long history of reversals and law enforcement background
-published video that shows what the guard did to a child at JTDC
@kellygarcia.bsky.social
-reported evidence Dixon may not be living in Cook co
-reported on trial and acquittal of a guard by a judge with a long history of reversals and law enforcement background
-published video that shows what the guard did to a child at JTDC
Now's a good time for Illinois residents to take advantage of a unique right we have to be removed from Clearview's database. Scroll down to IL opt-out here: www.clearview.ai/privacy-and-...
November 6, 2025 at 3:02 AM
Now's a good time for Illinois residents to take advantage of a unique right we have to be removed from Clearview's database. Scroll down to IL opt-out here: www.clearview.ai/privacy-and-...
Reposted by Maya Dukmasova
“I don’t even think it’s close,” said Cook County Circuit Court Judge Kenneth Wadas during the 2.5 hour long criminal trial of a former youth jail employee accused of throwing a 15-year-old handcuffed boy to the ground, leaving him unconscious.
www.injusticewatch.org/juvenile-cou...
www.injusticewatch.org/juvenile-cou...
Rare trial of Chicago juvenile jail guard ends in acquittal
A Cook County judge found Kevin Walker not guilty of aggravated battery and official misconduct in a 2023 incident involving a 15-year-old at the juvenile jail.
www.injusticewatch.org
November 4, 2025 at 3:54 PM
“I don’t even think it’s close,” said Cook County Circuit Court Judge Kenneth Wadas during the 2.5 hour long criminal trial of a former youth jail employee accused of throwing a 15-year-old handcuffed boy to the ground, leaving him unconscious.
www.injusticewatch.org/juvenile-cou...
www.injusticewatch.org/juvenile-cou...
Can't wait to read more about what happened. I can't say I'm surprised though, Wadas has a reputation as a very pro law enforcement judge. Former marine who ran the narcotics unit when Richie Daley was the SAO in the 80s. In 2020 IW found him among the most reversed on appeal at 26th street.
Kevin Walker was acquitted on charges of aggravated battery and official misconduct today. In handing down the verdict, Judge Kenneth Wadas said the state didn’t meet its burden.
Story tk.
Story tk.
NEW: For decades, allegations of abuse and misconduct have swirled around Chicago’s juvenile detention center. On Thursday, a Cook County judge will begin proceedings in a rare trial of a former employee accused of physically harming a child at the facility.
November 1, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Can't wait to read more about what happened. I can't say I'm surprised though, Wadas has a reputation as a very pro law enforcement judge. Former marine who ran the narcotics unit when Richie Daley was the SAO in the 80s. In 2020 IW found him among the most reversed on appeal at 26th street.
Reposted by Maya Dukmasova
Update: Due to a scheduling issue, trial was postponed to tomorrow at 10 am. Keep checking back for updates. @injusticewatch.org
In Illinois, juvenile detention centers are exempt from FOIA meaning the public can't access employee disciplinary records, confinement data, and policy manuals.
As my editor @jonahshai.bsky.social once put it, it's much harder to get information about the youth jail than it is about the adult jail
As my editor @jonahshai.bsky.social once put it, it's much harder to get information about the youth jail than it is about the adult jail
October 30, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Update: Due to a scheduling issue, trial was postponed to tomorrow at 10 am. Keep checking back for updates. @injusticewatch.org
Given all you hear about child abuse at the Cook County juvenile detention center it's shocking that we're seeing the first criminal trial of a guard for allegedly assaulting a kid in over a decade. Great reporting from my colleague @kellygarcia.bsky.social www.injusticewatch.org/juvenile-cou...
Rare criminal trial of former Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center employee expected to start Thursday
The former Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center employee is charged with two felonies for allegedly throwing a boy to the ground.
www.injusticewatch.org
October 29, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Given all you hear about child abuse at the Cook County juvenile detention center it's shocking that we're seeing the first criminal trial of a guard for allegedly assaulting a kid in over a decade. Great reporting from my colleague @kellygarcia.bsky.social www.injusticewatch.org/juvenile-cou...
Great and necessary reporting from @rebeccaburns.bsky.social about the landlord and property manager of the South Shore building that got raided
inthesetimes.com/article/evic...
inthesetimes.com/article/evic...
Eviction By ICE?
Federal immigration agents appear to have targeted Chicago tenants in “deliberate and systematic ways.” They’re still searching for answers about their landlord’s role in the raid.
inthesetimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Great and necessary reporting from @rebeccaburns.bsky.social about the landlord and property manager of the South Shore building that got raided
inthesetimes.com/article/evic...
inthesetimes.com/article/evic...
Reposted by Maya Dukmasova
Federal agents arrested 11 rideshare drivers at O'Hare Saturday, the second time agents have targeted workers who are the "backbone" of the city's transportation network, an advocacy group said.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/19/b...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/19/b...
Border Patrol Arrests 11 Rideshare Drivers At O'Hare Parking Lot
It is the second time federal agents arrested rideshare drivers at O'Hare Airport, targeting workers that are the "backbone of Chicago's transportation system," an advocacy group said.
blockclubchicago.org
October 19, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Federal agents arrested 11 rideshare drivers at O'Hare Saturday, the second time agents have targeted workers who are the "backbone" of the city's transportation network, an advocacy group said.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/19/b...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/19/b...
Some perspective on how much we've all acquiesced to gerontocracy: in 1978 (when there was mandatory judicial retirement at 75 in IL) the first chief judge of cook county, a big Dem machine boss, lost his retention election. His age (77) was considered "the key factor in voter rejection"
October 19, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Some perspective on how much we've all acquiesced to gerontocracy: in 1978 (when there was mandatory judicial retirement at 75 in IL) the first chief judge of cook county, a big Dem machine boss, lost his retention election. His age (77) was considered "the key factor in voter rejection"
It's a great day to take our short survey and be entered to win $100 and a custom portrait by our artist Verónica Martinez!
If you love @injusticewatch.org please take a few minutes to complete this survey! It'll help us shape our work and make sure we're bringing you what you need. There's a chance to win $100 + a custom portrait by our artist Verónica Martinez every week for the next month!
Every question in our survey will help our editorial, engagement, and operations teams make decisions about what they do. It takes about seven minutes to complete. Help shape our future work. buff.ly/MG6mbcv
October 17, 2025 at 2:15 PM
It's a great day to take our short survey and be entered to win $100 and a custom portrait by our artist Verónica Martinez!
Happy Indigenous People's Day from an Italian heritage street festival in Chicago's Viagra triangle where, yes, Bob Fioretti, dressed in a "Dignitary" sash, is collecting signatures for yet another run for elected office
October 13, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Happy Indigenous People's Day from an Italian heritage street festival in Chicago's Viagra triangle where, yes, Bob Fioretti, dressed in a "Dignitary" sash, is collecting signatures for yet another run for elected office
If you love @injusticewatch.org please take a few minutes to complete this survey! It'll help us shape our work and make sure we're bringing you what you need. There's a chance to win $100 + a custom portrait by our artist Verónica Martinez every week for the next month!
Every question in our survey will help our editorial, engagement, and operations teams make decisions about what they do. It takes about seven minutes to complete. Help shape our future work. buff.ly/MG6mbcv
October 6, 2025 at 5:34 PM
If you love @injusticewatch.org please take a few minutes to complete this survey! It'll help us shape our work and make sure we're bringing you what you need. There's a chance to win $100 + a custom portrait by our artist Verónica Martinez every week for the next month!
Reposted by Maya Dukmasova
CPD rehired Forberg as a criminal intelligence research specialist after he retired as a detective. His sometimes-partner, John Foster, remains a commander of detectives. Supt. Larry Snelling declined to discuss those facts.
Forberg also quit a small suburban department after I asked about the job.
Forberg also quit a small suburban department after I asked about the job.
State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke has failed to systematically review cases involving former Chicago police Detective Brian Forberg, despite more than a dozen allegations of coercion against him and his partners. Copublished with @boltsmag.org:
Cook County’s new prosecutor has weakened an already broken system for freeing the innocent
State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke’s Conviction Integrity Unit hasn’t exonerated anyone in her 10 months on the job, and she has done little to confront more than a dozen coercion allegations…
buff.ly
October 3, 2025 at 12:22 PM
CPD rehired Forberg as a criminal intelligence research specialist after he retired as a detective. His sometimes-partner, John Foster, remains a commander of detectives. Supt. Larry Snelling declined to discuss those facts.
Forberg also quit a small suburban department after I asked about the job.
Forberg also quit a small suburban department after I asked about the job.
My colleague @danhinkel.bsky.social found that not a single person has been exonerated with the help of the "conviction integrity unit" under the new Cook County State's Attorney
Eileen O'Neill Burke made it harder for people to have their innocence claims investigated by the Cook County Conviction Integrity Unit — one of several ways her office is weakening review of wrongful convictions. Read the latest from us and @boltsmag.org:
Cook County’s new prosecutor has weakened an already broken system for freeing the innocent
State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke’s Conviction Integrity Unit hasn’t exonerated anyone in her 10 months on the job, and she has done little to confront more than a dozen coercion allegations…
buff.ly
October 2, 2025 at 2:11 PM
My colleague @danhinkel.bsky.social found that not a single person has been exonerated with the help of the "conviction integrity unit" under the new Cook County State's Attorney
Reposted by Maya Dukmasova
Senior reporter Maya Dukmasova's recent investigation of a UIC crime lab involved submitting more than 45 FOIA request, reviewing more than 8k pages of documents, and interviewing more than 50 people. If you've got questions or want to learn more about her process, join us on Reddit! buff.ly/BnaI0DC
September 23, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Senior reporter Maya Dukmasova's recent investigation of a UIC crime lab involved submitting more than 45 FOIA request, reviewing more than 8k pages of documents, and interviewing more than 50 people. If you've got questions or want to learn more about her process, join us on Reddit! buff.ly/BnaI0DC
New this morning: a Cook County judge with a history of alleged inappropriate physical conduct with colleagues has been reassigned after a clerk accused her of battery
www.injusticewatch.org/judges/judic...
www.injusticewatch.org/judges/judic...
Cook County judge previously accused of ‘unwanted touching’ reassigned after clerk alleges battery
Judge Ruth Gudino was reassigned from a domestic violence courtroom in Markham after a clerk accused her of pushing him. The sheriff’s office said the allegation was unfounded.
www.injusticewatch.org
September 22, 2025 at 2:16 PM
New this morning: a Cook County judge with a history of alleged inappropriate physical conduct with colleagues has been reassigned after a clerk accused her of battery
www.injusticewatch.org/judges/judic...
www.injusticewatch.org/judges/judic...
Reposted by Maya Dukmasova
Charles Beach, 55, was elected Cook County chief judge this evening, defeating 24-year incumbent Timothy Evans. He’ll take over control over a vast court bureaucracy as well as judicial assignments when his term starts Dec. 1. Story by @mdoukmas.bsky.social. www.injusticewatch.org/judges/court...
Charles Beach elected Cook County chief judge
Beach will be Cook County’s first new chief judge in 24 years, after defeating eight-term incumbent Timothy Evans.
www.injusticewatch.org
September 11, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Charles Beach, 55, was elected Cook County chief judge this evening, defeating 24-year incumbent Timothy Evans. He’ll take over control over a vast court bureaucracy as well as judicial assignments when his term starts Dec. 1. Story by @mdoukmas.bsky.social. www.injusticewatch.org/judges/court...
Reposted by Maya Dukmasova
This will have strong political implications for the Cook County juvenile detention center, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Chief Judge. The current superintendent was appointed by Evans in 2015 and, to the bewilderment of many, kept around despite persistent concerns about his leadership.
BEAKING NEWS: COOK COUNTY HAS A NEW CHIEF JUDGE - Charles Beach
September 11, 2025 at 12:34 AM
This will have strong political implications for the Cook County juvenile detention center, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Chief Judge. The current superintendent was appointed by Evans in 2015 and, to the bewilderment of many, kept around despite persistent concerns about his leadership.
BEAKING NEWS: COOK COUNTY HAS A NEW CHIEF JUDGE - Charles Beach
September 10, 2025 at 10:57 PM
BEAKING NEWS: COOK COUNTY HAS A NEW CHIEF JUDGE - Charles Beach
I'm on the 17th floor of the Daley Center where Cook County's circuit judges are gathering for the secret conclave style election of their Chief Judge. As one irate litigant just commented, coming out hot from a nearby hearing: "It's a goofy ass fucking place!"
Follow along for updates!
Follow along for updates!
September 10, 2025 at 7:26 PM
I'm on the 17th floor of the Daley Center where Cook County's circuit judges are gathering for the secret conclave style election of their Chief Judge. As one irate litigant just commented, coming out hot from a nearby hearing: "It's a goofy ass fucking place!"
Follow along for updates!
Follow along for updates!
Reposted by Maya Dukmasova
The next JTDC Advisory Board is on Oct. 7, same time and place. Thanks for following along. Please stay tuned to the secret election for Chief Judge happening in just a few... here's a great piece on what to expect from my colleague @mdoukmas.bsky.social
www.injusticewatch.org/judges/court...
www.injusticewatch.org/judges/court...
What’s at stake in the race for Cook County chief judge
Incumbent Timothy Evans has served for 24 years, already the longest of any chief judge in Cook County history. Two challengers are vying for control of a court system that gavels in half a million ne...
www.injusticewatch.org
September 10, 2025 at 6:28 PM
The next JTDC Advisory Board is on Oct. 7, same time and place. Thanks for following along. Please stay tuned to the secret election for Chief Judge happening in just a few... here's a great piece on what to expect from my colleague @mdoukmas.bsky.social
www.injusticewatch.org/judges/court...
www.injusticewatch.org/judges/court...
Reposted by Maya Dukmasova
Congratulations to @mdoukmas.bsky.social of @injusticewatch.org on winning the September Sidney for her innovative and engaging exposé of forensic junk science in Chicago:
Maya Dukmasova wins September Sidney for Exposing Flawed Forensic Science in Chicago
Maya Dukmasova wins the September Sidney Award for her feature in Injustice Watch, “Fake science, faulty methods, misleading testimony,” an exposé of a rogue forensic lab in Chicago that used bogus te...
hillmanfoundation.org
September 10, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Congratulations to @mdoukmas.bsky.social of @injusticewatch.org on winning the September Sidney for her innovative and engaging exposé of forensic junk science in Chicago:
Will the man who's led the country's second largest court system for a quarter century be once again chosen for the post on Wednesday? We'll see... It's the most contested election for the post since 2001.
NEW from @injusticewatch.org: There's an election this week for Cook County Chief Judge, one of the most powerful local elected officials. The rub? The only people who can vote are other judges. @mdoukmas.bsky.social previews what's at stake in the race: www.injusticewatch.org/judges/court...
What’s at stake in the race for Cook County chief judge
Incumbent Timothy Evans has served for 24 years, already the longest of any chief judge in Cook County history. Two challengers are vying for control of a court system that gavels in half a million ne...
www.injusticewatch.org
September 8, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Will the man who's led the country's second largest court system for a quarter century be once again chosen for the post on Wednesday? We'll see... It's the most contested election for the post since 2001.