Collaboration for Justice
Updates and insights from the Collaboration for Justice initiative, highlighting partnerships, programs, and efforts to strengthen fairness, accountability, and public trust in the legal system.
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 to remote proceedings as well
“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 [...]
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 [...]
Progress Report: First Year of the New Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County
The Clerk’s Office has made meaningful progress in several areas, but much work remains to bring the office up to the standards of technological competence, customer service, and accessibility that are necessary for public agencies.
Call to Support: Creating Opportunity for Illinoisans in Need (COIN II) Act
The COIN II Act would implement a 100% pass-through and disregard policy for families receiving TANF benefits and child support. This means that the full support payment would go to parents and their children—and none would be withheld by the state.
Support for SB 3635 to End Driver’s License Suspensions for Failures to Appear
UPDATE: HB 5588 has been assigned to committee for hearing on Wednesday, February 16. Please submit a witness slip in favor of the bill, as a "proponent," using this link before the hearing at 10:00 AM [...]
Principles for Earned Release Sentencing Reform In Illinois
The Collaboration for Justice of Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts and the Chicago Council of Lawyers, along with a coalition of supporting organizations, have released an open letter to the Illinois Resentencing Task Force urging them [...]
January 21, 2022: Public Comments to Chicago City Council’s Public Safety Committee in Opposition to the “Victims Justice Ordinance” (VJO)
On Friday, January 21, 2022, Program Manager & Policy Analyst for Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts and the Chicago Council of Lawyers, Hanna Sharif-Kazemi, provided comments to the Chicago City Council’s Public Safety Committee in opposition [...]
Chicago City Council must vote NO on the Mayor’s proposed civil asset forfeiture ordinance (O2021-4130)
Chicago’s Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced a plan to “start suing gang members to ‘take their assets’” in an attempt to curb community violence. Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts and the Chicago Council of Lawyers view the Mayor’s “Victims’ [...]
Thank you for supporting our “Identifying Hidden Injustices” series!
The Chicago Council of Lawyers and Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts work together in a Collaboration for Justice to create a legal system that is fair, equitable, and accessible to all people — regardless [...]
