STATUTORY COMPENSATION FOR THE WRONGFULLY CONVICTED
Until 1996, the Illinois Court of Claims Act provided that a wrongfully imprisoned person who had been pardoned by the governor on the ground of innocence could receive a compensation award of no more than $35,000. The MacArthur Justice Center worked to achieve an amendment to this provision, which increased the limit to slightly over $140,000. Since the effective date of this increase, the MacArthur Justice Center has successfully represented three wrongfully imprisoned men-James Newsome, Perry Cobb, and Ronald Jones-in clemency proceedings that resulted in pardons on the ground of innocence and, then, in Court of Claims proceedings in which each received the full award of compensation under the Court of Claims Act.
Newsome complaint (pdf)
Cobb petition (pdf)
Cobb complaint (pdf)
Jones petition (pdf)
Jones complaint (pdf)
