Latest News – Page 5 – Chicago Council of Lawyers

Response to Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown’s Ongoing Attacks on the Independence of the Judiciary

During a traffic stop on August 7, Chicago Police Department (CPD) Officer Ella French was shot and killed, and her partner was critically wounded. In the wake of this terrible event, emotions are understandably high as Officer French’s colleagues and loved ones continue to grieve and grapple with t...

Renewing Our Opposition of the Death Penalty and Calling for Action

During Donald Trump’s final seven months in the White House, the US Department of Justice executed 13 people. This followed a 17-year hiatus in federal executions; in the previous 60 years, only four other people had been executed by the federal government. The unseemly haste with which the Trump ad...

Advocates’ Letter to Cook County Circuit Court: Seal Eviction Court Filings to Promote Fair and Accessible Justice

The Chicago Council of Lawyers and Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts have joined Access Living, Beyond Legal Aid, Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, the Chicago Urban League, Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, the Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing, Lega...

Safeguarding Privacy Rights of Domestic Violence Survivors

People v. Gomez-Ramirez Case Description On June 16, oral arguments began in the Illinois appellate case of People v. Gomez-Ramirez (AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center, Bolingbrook, and Alexian Brothers-AHS Midwest Region Health Co., Contemnors-Appellants). The case, which is being h...

Analysis: Proposals for Community Commissions for Public Safety and Accountability

The Chicago Council of Lawyers has analyzed two proposed ordinances to establish civilian oversight of the Chicago Police Department (CPD). Both ordinances -- one proposed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot ("Mayor's Proposal") and one proposed by a group of community organizations ("Community's Proposal") --...

Thank you for supporting our Pro Bono Spotlight!

Every year, our Collaboration for Justice of the Chicago Council of Lawyers and Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts hosts a Pro Bono Spotlight event. This year, we featured two two virtual events to celebrate and recognize the incredible work our volunteers, staff, and community partners. If yo...

Progress Report: First 100 Days of the New Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County

On December 1, 2020, Iris Martinez took office of Clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court. The Clerk plays an essential function as the “official record keeper” for the court, responsible for collecting and disbursing all filing fees and fines, managing legal records for all court divisions, and atte...

Demanding Justice for Adam Toledo

On March 29, 2021, a Chicago Police Department (CPD) officer shot and killed thirteen-year-old Adam Toledo after chasing him on foot in Little Village. The footage reflects a tragedy—a tragedy that did not have to happen, for the thirteen-year-old, for his family and friends, for the police officer...

Chicago Council of Lawyers’ Statement in Support of the Judicial Quality Act (SB 0563)

The Chicago Council of Lawyers strongly supports passage of SB 0653, the Judicial Quality Act (the “Act”). The Act requires that the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts “develop and implement an ongoing education and training program for judges and relevant court personnel regarding do...

Ending Money Bail Makes Communities Safer, Fairer, and Protects Due Process

This statement from the Chicago Council of Lawyers was originally published in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin on March 22, 2021. Click here for the article. On February 22, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a landmark criminal justice reform package—the Safety, Accountability, Fairness, and Equit...