Wrongful conviction consultants

07/15/2026

07/15/2026

It was a great day for the today in , as Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law a measure that will modernize the state's law on financial compensation and bring it closer in line with standards that many other states have set. IIP clients and leaders have been part of the effort to get House Bill 3663 to the governor's desk, sharing stories of personal hardship and testifying as part of committee hearings.

Lead sponsors on the legislation were Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr. and State Representative Justin Slaughter. At least 27 jurisdictions nationally compensate at a rate at or above $50,000 per year. Research compiled by IIP for this process showed that the average rate per year for the nearly 600 Illinois residents exonerated since 1989 has been just $11,190 per year. The new law will provide compensation of up to $50,000 per year of wrongful imprisonment and $25,000 per year wrongfully spent on probation, parole or the s*x offender registry.

Said IIP Director Stephanie Kamel of today's signing, “After years of advocacy, HB 3663 marks a monumental shift in how the state compensates exonerees – innocent women and men who have been wrongfully convicted and imprisoned in IL prisons and received their Certificate of Innocence. By removing the current cap and enabling the court to award up to $50,000 for each year spent wrongfully imprisoned, the state more fully acknowledges the injustice suffered by exonerees and the state’s moral obligation to provide greater restitution as they work to rebuild their lives."

Shown in the photo here are, from left, IIP client and exoneree Brian Beals; exoneree James Kluppelberg; IIP Director Stephanie Kamel; Illinois State Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr., IIP volunteer Randy Witter; and exoneree Johnnie Savory.

More details can be found at: https://www.illinoissenatedemocrats.com/caucus-news/42-senator-elgie-r-sims-jr-news/7042-illinois-raises-compensation-for-wrongfully-incarcerated-under-landmark-sims-law

07/05/2026

On May 27, NPTS had the privilege of graduating 13 students and honoring 4 who'd completed their program requirements at an earlier date.

Featuring a powerful commencement address by Dr. Soong-Chan Rah and reflective and spoken word pieces by graduates, the service honored the incredible perseverance, discipline, and faith that carried these students through their studies.

We couldn't be more proud of these graduates and their huge accomplishment! Read more about and see photos of the celebration here: https://seminary.northpark.edu/sra/npts-graduates-13-at-ircc/

06/30/2026

Juan Carlos Ramirez was left in an "outdoor cage" at Telfair State Prison on a 105-degree day. Despite his pleas, a lawsuit claims guards did nothing until it was too late. His death has resulted in a $3.2 million settlement for his family:
https://www.13wmaz.com/article/news/local/central-georgia-inmate-left-to-die-in-fenced-in-box-in-prison-yard-agree-to-32m-settlement/93-cf2182be-fd01-44c8-a2ae-3247f6264e3c?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_13_WMAZ

06/12/2026

06/04/2026

New York law makes it nearly impossible for innocent people who plead guilty and don’t have the benefit of DNA evidence to go back to court and prove their innocence. The Challenging Wrongful Convictions Act (A.7422-C) could change that. It has passed the Senate and awaits a vote in the Assembly. ...

05/28/2026