Latest News
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 [...]
Chicago Council of Lawyers Condemns Trump’s Proposed Defunding of the Legal Services Corporation
On May 2, 2025, President Trump proposed a new 2026 budget that would eliminate funding to the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), the country’s largest funder of civil legal aid. In Illinois, LSC provides $18 million [...]
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 [...]
Introducing the 2025 FJLOC Cohort’s Ambitious Social Justice Projects
Felix Mitchell, Future Justice Lawyers of Chicago Program Coordinator The 2025 Future Justice Lawyers of Chicago (FJLOC) officially began on their program January 11, 2025, marking another year of committed student engagement in pressing legal [...]
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, [...]
