JOIN US! October 25: Collaboration for Justice Annual Luncheon

On Tuesday, October 25, join the Collaboration for Justice of Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts & Chicago Council of Lawyers for our annual meeting. This year, we are especially excited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of our Collaboration for Justice with Chicago Appleseed. When...

Statement: After Hours Access to the Domestic Violence Court

The Domestic Violence Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County launched after-hours access, via remote proceedings, for Civil Emergency Orders of Protection this week. In addition to regular court hours, Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, remote hearings are now available Monday to Friday, 9:0...

Two Years In: Weighing the Costs and Benefits of Remote Court Proceedings

The need to preserve court access during the pandemic moved hearings online. Remote court hearings are expected to continue – even as the courts return to in-person proceedings. While the transition has raised some concerns related to due process and accessibility, there appear to be some benefits t...

“Organized Retail Theft” Bill is an Extreme Approach to an Imaginary Problem

This week, the Illinois Retail Merchants’ Association succeeded in convincing the Illinois General Assembly to introduce legislation targeted at reducing “organized retail theft.” Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts and the Chicago Council of Lawyers vehemently opposed the bill, HB 1091, which...

Announcing: Jill Dupont Memorial Fellowship of the Collaboration for Justice

Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts, an affiliate of Appleseed, and the Chicago Council of Lawyers, Chicago’s public interest bar association, are incredibly honored to announce the creation of the Jill Dupont Memorial Fellowship of the Collaboration for Justice.  Chicago Appleseed Cent...

Call to Support: Creating Opportunity for Illinoisans in Need (COIN II) Act

The statewide Creating Opportunity for Illinoisans in Need (COIN II) Act (IL HB 4423 and IL SB 3123) will increase monthly Temporary Assistance for Families in Need (TANF) grants to 50% of the federal poverty level and will implement a full passthrough and disregard policy f...