[valkyrie]

It's not a new issue, but I'm still fascinated by what the former Governor Ryan did in Illinois with commuting the death sentences of everyone on death row in the state -- and the history of police abuse especially in Chicago.

I agree with Rob's take on criminal informants, too -- that's another good issue. Also, I think "drug court" programs are getting more and more popular (and more counties are implementing them) as a way to get drug offenders treatment instead of sending them to prison. I worked in one for a while and it was really cool. It creates some interesting issues, though, or at least it did where I worked, because the Judge liked to question people in court before appointing an attorney, and often people were not aware of their rights and that sometimes it's best to keep your mouth shut in court when everything you say is being put on the record before you even get an attorney.