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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 [...]
CHICAGO COUNCIL OF LAWYERS STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF ORDINANCE TO ENHANCE INDEPENDENCE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
Inspectors general at the federal, state, and local levels exist to provide independent and objective oversight to promote accountability, transparency, and integrity in government. In Chicago, the powers and duties of the Office of Inspector [...]
STATEMENT: Chicago Council of Lawyers Condemns Trump Administration’s Attack on Trans People
During its first 100 days in office, the Trump Administration has issued over 100 Executive Orders (EOs). At least seven of these orders have specifically singled out the transgender community in this country, seeking to [...]
The Justice Department’s Retreat on Police Accountability is a Dangerous Step Backward
The recent announcement that the Justice Department is dismissing lawsuits against police departments in Louisville and Minneapolis and ending investigations into systemic unconstitutional policing practices is nothing short of a catastrophic retreat from justice. This [...]
BREAKING – SB 108 Passes, Making the Current Cook County Specific, Partial Traffic Fee Waiver Program Permanent
Congratulations to the Illinois Fines & Fees Coalition and its partners for the passage of SB108, the Traffic Fee Waiver Sunset Elimination bill! SB108 makes the current Cook County specific, partial traffic fee waiver program, [...]
SB 2447: Advancing Fairness in Illinois Court Costs, Assessments, and Fees
Chicago Appleseed has long fought for fairness in court fines and fees, a source of systemic inequity in the Illinois legal system. These financial penalties impact low-income residents, contributing to cycles of debt and poverty. In 2018, [...]
Illinois Supreme Court Pilots Limited CLE Credit for Pro Bono Legal Assistance
On April 1, 2025, the Illinois Supreme Court and the Supreme Court Executive Committee on the Practice of Law announced proposals to amend and create three new rules, effective July 1, 2025. One of these [...]
Statement on the improper move to dismiss the indictment against Eric Adams
This statement appeared in the Chicago Tribune as a letter to the editor on February 20, 2025. The Chicago Council of Lawyers condemns the blatantly political order to dismiss the indictment against New York Mayor [...]
Membership in the Council
We were glad so many of you joined us at our members' meeting in October and at our fall fundraiser with Chicago Appleseed in November. We have exciting plans for membership engagement in 2025, so [...]
Judicial Retention Election Results
Tuesday was the last day provisional ballots can be counted and it appears one Cook County Circuit Court judge will be losing their seat. Shannon O'Malley gained only 58% Yes for Retention votes. All members [...]