As criminal courthouses slowly reopen across the country, many have massive case backlogs that could take years to get through. In Chicago, that has prosecutors preparing to drop thousands of what they have designated "low-level" cases because it will be impossible to bring them to trial in time. ftwitty/Getty Images hide caption
Nurses and community faith leaders participate in a protest outside the Cook County Jail in Chicago, on April 10, 2020, calling for the release of prisoners from the jail. A federal judge ordered Cook County Jail to take prompt action to stop the spread of the coronavirus, including to make sure that the more than 4,000 detainees have access to adequate soap and sanitizer. Nam Y. Huh/AP hide caption
A judge has ordered a special prosecutor to look into how the case against actor Jussie Smollett was handled. Smollett is seen here in March, leaving a courthouse in Chicago after all charges against him were dropped. Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images hide caption
People walk past the Cook County Criminal Courts Building in April 2012. Public Defender Amy Campanelli wants sheriff's deputies to monitor the lockup areas to prevent men in custody from exposing themselves to female attorneys. M. Spencer Green/AP hide caption
Former President Barack Obama will report for jury duty in Cook County, Ill., in November. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption
Laquan McDonald (right) walks down the street moments before being shot by Officer Jason Van Dyke in Chicago in October 2014, in a still shot from a police dashcam video. AP hide caption
There was a huge jump last year in the number of murders in Chicago. As young people are affected by the gun violence, community leaders look for answers. Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption
Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez was defeated by Kim Foxx in the Democratic primary on Tuesday. Alvarez had been criticized for the investigation into the shooting of Laquan McDonald by a police officer. Charles Rex Arbogast/AP hide caption