Welcome to the Chicago Council of Lawyers
The Chicago Council of Lawyers (CCL) is Chicago’s progressive public-interest bar association. Founded in 1969, CCL works to promote the rule of law, strengthen democratic institutions, and advance a justice system grounded in fairness, equality, transparency, and respect for human dignity. Through rigorous legal analysis and public advocacy, we seek practical reforms when the legal system falls short of these principles.
Our current work focuses on three areas:
- Defending the rule of law and democratic governance, including responding to actions of the Trump Administration that threaten judicial independence, constitutional norms, and equal justice under law.
- Advancing equal justice in the Illinois courts, with particular attention to fairness, access, and the equitable treatment of all communities.
- Evaluating judicial candidates, in partnership with the Alliance for Judicial Screening, and sharing nonpartisan evaluations widely to inform and educate voters.
I have been a member of the Chicago Council of Lawyers for almost as long as I have been a lawyer. I’m privileged to know some of the people who were present for the Council’s founding in 1969, and to be part of what they started and have sustained for more than 50 years. Participating in the Council’s work has consistently given me the feeling of being on the correct side of history. Our work has improved the quality and performance of the courts, and the public corruption we oppose no longer feels like “just a fact of life” in Chicago. Other bar associations exist for the benefit of their own members. This one exists for the public good.
Bob Slobig
The Chicago Council of Lawyers, Chicago’s public interest bar association, brings lawyers together not to advance professional self-interest, but to strengthen the justice system by insisting that it honor the principles that animate constitutional governance: fairness, human dignity, personal autonomy, compassion, and fidelity to truth. At a time when policies of the Trump Administration repeatedly transgress those principles, the Council’s independent voice is more important than ever.
Robert Lehrer
Supreme Court Rules Committee to Hold Public Hearing on April 9, 2026
The Illinois Supreme Court Rules Committee is seeking public comments on [...]
Supreme Court Struck Down Trump’s Tariffs
The Supreme Court of the United States issued a significant ruling holding [...]
Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening 2026 Primary Election
The Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening is comprised of: Arab [...]
