The Illinois Innocence Project (IIP) celebrated a major milestone in 2024, reaching a total of 25 exonerated individuals since its founding. As the year closed, the organization reflected on its progress and looked ahead to the challenges and goals it will face in 2025.

In 2024, the Project’s advocacy led to the exoneration of a number of individuals who had spent years behind bars for crimes they did not commit. However, despite these successes, the IIP is facing growing challenges in the new year.

“We are incredibly proud of the work we’ve done, but the demand for our services is overwhelming,” said Stephanie Kamel, Attorney and Director of the Illinois Innocence Project. “We receive over 250 requests for representation each year, and unfortunately, we simply can’t take them all. Our staffing limitations mean that we must be selective about the cases we pursue.”

The high demand for IIP’s services is only one of the obstacles the organization faces in 2025. Another major concern is assisting exonerees once they are released from prison. Kamel explained that while individuals who serve time in prison are eligible for post-release programs and support, those who are exonerated do not receive the same level of assistance.

“Exonerees face a difficult road after their release,” Kamel said. “They don’t have the resources to help them reintegrate into society, such as housing, employment, or psychological support. We want to continue to help them rebuild their lives, but that requires more resources.”

The IIP also advocates for legislative reform to ensure exonerees receive restitution for the years lost during their wrongful convictions. Kamel emphasized the importance of pushing for changes that would allow exonerees to receive compensation for their suffering and lost time.

Lauren Kaeseberg, Brian Beals, and Stephanie Kamel at the Capitol working to pass legislation in Illinois.

In addition to its legal work, the Illinois Innocence Project has been making strides in raising awareness of wrongful convictions through its Wrongful Conviction Awareness and Avoidance (WCAA) police training program. Since launching in 2023, the program has trained over 4,000 police officers in Illinois.

“Our police training is the only one of its kind in the nation,” Kamel said. “It’s been a huge success, and we’ve had requests from other states and even Canada asking for our assistance in launching similar programs.”

“Wrongful Conviction Awareness and Avoidance Training” is a photo with police cadets, IIP speakers, and staff at the kickoff training in 2023.

At UIS, students have the unique opportunity to be part of this mission by enrolling in the Conviction of the Innocent (LES 488) course or participating in internships and prior learning programs that offer academic credit for work with the IIP.

Kaylan Schardan, instructor for LES 488, stated that the course’s primary goal is “bringing more awareness to students about the wrongfully convicted.” Schardan explained, “I want students to become aware of wrongful convictions because students may take on jury duty or become a police officer someday.”

IIP internship applications open in the Fall of 2025. For more information on the Conviction of the Innocent (LES 488) course email Kaylan Schardan at [email protected].

As the IIP continues to work toward its goals in 2025, it remains committed to its mission of preventing future wrongful convictions, advocating for exonerees, and educating the next generation of students and criminal justice professionals.

Looking ahead, Kamel expressed optimism about the future, even as the challenges mount.

“We’ve made incredible progress, but there’s still much work to do,” she said. “We’re committed to continuing our advocacy, increasing public awareness, and expanding our impact—one case at a time.”

Founded in 2001, the Illinois Innocence Project became the first organization located at an undergraduate university dedicated to helping the wrongfully convicted regain their freedom. In addition to providing legal representation, the IIP offers a wide range of educational opportunities. Students at the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) can enroll in courses, internships, and externships, gaining hands-on experience while contributing to this vital cause.

As the Illinois Innocence Project moves into 2025, it remains focused on its mission to fight wrongful convictions and provide exonerated individuals with the support they deserve.