Thanks for Attending Our Annual Luncheon
Thanks to everyone who attended our annual luncheon!
This year, we honored Retired State Representative Elaine Nekritz for her work on the recently enacted Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act which will reduce the imposition of court fines and fees on those least able to afford them. This historic legislation was introduced by then State Representative Nekritz. After her retirement from the Illinois legislature, her work on this legislation as part of Nekritz Amador Consulting was instrumental in the collaborative effort leading to its passage.
We also recognized the judges who have been instrumental to the success of the Access to Community Treatment Court (ACT Court). First, we recognized Judge Mary Colleen Roberts who worked with us to plan and implement this successful problem solving court which uses community based treatment to keep people out of prison, and save millions of tax payer dollars in the process. Then we commended Judge Neera Walsh for her work as the current ACT Court judge, showing the skill and leadership necessary to maintain the long term success of this innovative use of our court system.
Finally, we recognized PwC for its Pro Bono commitment. PwC focuses on audit and assurance, tax and consulting services. They help resolve complex issues and identify opportunities. The firm encourages its members to use their time and talent in their communities to help mission-driven organizations get their work done. PwC’s skill in data analysis and expertise with data-driven performance metrics is an excellent match with our approach to problem-solving.
The opportunity to celebrate caring and committed people making meaningful contributions to the public interest and access to justice is welcome. As our incoming president David Baltmanis said:
There is no denying that we are living through dark times for those of us concerned with fairness, equality, and social justice. Almost every day brings some fresh source of outrage or despair. And of course we care, and of course we’re concerned. But we shouldn’t mistake concern alone for virtue, and we don’t. I’ve no doubt that everyone in this room who is disturbed by what they see locally and nationally takes action of one kind or another, giving of their time or talent or money to any number of worthwhile causes. One of the challenges concerned citizens face is there are so many things to care about, so many things to give to, or work on.
So why this cause? I submit that for people looking to make a concrete impact on the lives of those who are affected by poverty and inequality in our community, there may be no better place than through the Council and Chicago Appleseed. And as lawyers, we are insiders and gatekeepers to an often byzantine legal system, and I submit that we owe a duty to make that system fairer and more accessible to others.
Success for the Council often means benefits that are and will remain completely invisible except to those who receive them. But for those people, they really matter: A first-time offender gets released on recognizance and doesn’t lose his job while detained in Cook County jail with a bond he can’t afford. A non-dangerous drug offender get access to treatment through diversion, rather than time in jail. And, if we’re successful, an unrepresented defendant in eviction court will have access to a record of what actually occurred in the courtroom, which practitioners in the field consistently tells us improves in-court outcomes, and protects tenant’s rights. These are the kinds of harms we’re looking to solve, and they fall disproportionately on the economically disadvantaged and on people of color. Among things that outrage us, they rarely make the top of the list. But they are incredibly important, and they are also fixable.
Thank you for another year of good work.
