Jodi S. Cohen is a reporter for ProPublica Illinois. Before joining ProPublica Illinois, Jodi worked at the Chicago Tribune for 14 years, including as an investigative reporter and editor. She formerly reported for The Detroit News and graduated with honors with a degree in political science from the University of Michigan, where she was Managing News Editor of The Michigan Daily.
Jodi S. Cohen, ProPublica Illinois
Articles
Judge closes case on Michigan teenager detained for not doing homework
August 11, 2020 | Jodi S. Cohen, ProPublica Illinois
The 15-year-old is now free from the court system. In a hearing, an Oakland County judge released her from probation after a caseworker said, “It is best for the family to move forward.”
Court releases Michigan teen detained over homework amid pandemic
July 31, 2020 | Jodi S. Cohen, ProPublica Illinois
Grace’s story, first published by ProPublica Illinois, prompted outrage and debate across the country. Though a judge refused to set the girl free, the Michigan Court of Appeals ordered her immediate release from a juvenile detention facility in Detroit.
Prosecutors support releasing Michigan girl detained for not doing schoolwork
July 30, 2020 | Jodi S. Cohen, ProPublica Illinois
Although earlier this year prosecutors pushed for the detention of a Michigan high schooler during the COVID-19 pandemic, they have now repeatedly said they support sending her home to her mother.
Judge won’t free Michigan teen incarcerated after not doing online homework
July 21, 2020 | Jodi S. Cohen, ProPublica Illinois
At a hearing Monday, Judge Mary Ellen Brennan denied a motion to release a 15-year-old from a juvenile facility. “I think you are exactly where you are supposed to be,” Brennan said. “You are blooming there, but there is more work to be done.”
Michigan Supreme Court reviewing case of incarcerated teen
July 17, 2020 | Jodi S. Cohen, ProPublica Illinois
Attorneys for a 15-year-old sent to juvenile detention for not doing her schoolwork argued the teenager is not a threat to the community, contrary to a judge’s ruling. Now Michigan’s Supreme Court is stepping in.
Critics demand Michigan #FreeGrace after teen incarcerated for not doing schoolwork
July 15, 2020 | Jodi S. Cohen, ProPublica Illinois
After a ProPublica investigation, public officials are pushing for the release of a Black 15-year-old sent to juvenile detention after a judge ruled that not doing her online schoolwork violated her probation. A petition has thousands of signatures.
Birmingham student didn’t do classwork, was sent to juvenile detention
July 14, 2020 | Jodi S. Cohen, ProPublica Illinois
A 15-year-old in Michigan was incarcerated during the coronavirus pandemic after a judge ruled that not completing her schoolwork violated her probation. “It just doesn’t make any sense,” said the girl’s mother.