Latest News
NEW: Future Justice Lawyers of Chicago Students’ Reports on the Criminal System, Immigration, and Healthcare in Jails & Prisons — Available Now!
We're thrilled to announce that the Future Justice Lawyers of Chicago (FJLOC) students’ reports on the criminal system, immigration, and healthcare in prisons are available now! Focus on Parole Focus on Reentry and Rehabilitation The [...]
Letter to Governor Pritzker regarding restrictions on protests against ICE in the Village of Broadview
October 24, 2025 Dear Governor Pritzker: The Chicago Council of Lawyers writes to express its appreciation for your steady leadership at a time when public confidence in law enforcement and the rule of law is [...]
Our members are living our values
In October 2025, a single video changed everything. Chicago Council of Lawyers Board member Robert Held stood calmly but firmly at the ICE detention facility in Broadview, addressing scores of law enforcement officers with the [...]
CCL in the News
Longtime member of the Chicago Council of Lawyers, and member of the board of governors, Rob Held is quoted in a CBS news story about his experiences protesting outside the ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois. [...]
Statement: Council Condemns Federal Government’s Assault on First Amendment Rights in Broadview, Illinois
The Chicago Council of Lawyers condemns what is happening with purported immigration enforcement in Broadview, Illinois. The federal government is orchestrating an assault on First Amendment rights that is unconscionable, pretextual, and cannot be tolerated.
Statement in Support of Funding for Non-Police Crisis Models
Non-police crisis response teams, also called Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement (CARE) teams, seek to integrate health professionals into the 911 response system. Non-police crisis response teams have been implemented in numerous jurisdictions with great [...]
The Independence of Federal Law Enforcement—Under Assault
Robert S. Held, Board of Governors, Chicago Council of Lawyers When a president demands personal fealty from senior law enforcement, democracy begins to erode. The purge of seasoned FBI professionals isn’t routine turnover; it is [...]
Capstone Event for the Future Justice Lawyers of Chicago
On August 8, the Future Justice Lawyers of Chicago (FJLOC) held its Capstone Luncheon at the offices of ArentFox Schiff. About 60 persons attended this hybrid event where we offered our congratulations to the 50 [...]
Chicago Council of Lawyers Proudly Supports Passage of The Sonya Massey Bill (SB1953) — A Vital Step Toward Police Accountability in Illinois
The Chicago Council of Lawyers proudly supports the recent passage and signing into law of The Sonya Massey Bill (SB1953) by Governor JB Pritzker, a landmark bipartisan legislation mandating full disclosure of personal background records [...]
Ruling in Police Arbitration Case Upholds Public Interest in Open and Transparent Police Oversight
Chicago Appleseed and Chicago Council of Lawyers have separately joined amicus briefs in 01-24-0875, an appeal by the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 7, seeking to reverse a trial court ruling that rejected an [...]
