As the Pandemic Rages, the Cook County Jail Population Grows

As we embark on the ‘third-wave’ of the pandemic in the United States, we have tragically learned many things. First and importantly, we have learned that the best and only truly effective way to prevent the spread of this airborne virus is by physically distancing ourselves from others. We have als...
November 20, 2020

Chicago Council of Lawyers Opposes the Confirmation of Thomas Kirsch

The Chicago Council of Lawyers, Chicago’s public interest bar association, opposes the confirmation of Thomas Kirsch, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, to a seat on the Federal Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. President Trump nominated Mr. Kirsch for the se...
November 17, 2020

Join Us in October

Chicago Appleseed and the Chicago Council of Lawyers, the Collaboration for Justice, have been doing an annual luncheon for decades—this year is different. Instead of a luncheon, we will host three virtual panels on October 9, 16, and 23. Each 90 minute panel will focus on a different issue and what...
September 30, 2020

Three Reforms to Fines, Fees, and Debt Collection Practices

Along with our partner, Chicago Appleseed, the Council of Lawyers is a member of the Transit Table Coalition, working to eliminate transportation barriers that keep people out of work and in poverty.  On Friday, the Transit Table Coalition released a statement regarding a series of news reports t...
September 28, 2020

Judicial Evaluation Results for November 2020

Today, the Chicago Council of Lawyers releases our Judicial Evaluation Report of candidates seeking retention in the November 3, 2020 election. A ballot summary of our findings can be found here.  Voting for judges is a key part of our democracy. Some Cook County judges are elected by the public...
September 15, 2020