02.18.09 Progress Through Partnership
E-Newsletter for members and friends of Chicago Appleseed and the Chicago Council of Lawyers
Chicago Council of Lawyers Urges Use of Nationwide Search and Formal Appointment Process to Select Next Public Defender
The term for the current Cook County Public Defender, Ed Burnette, ends at the end of March. The Chicago Council of Lawyers believes that transparent and reform-minded government demands that the selection process for the Public Defender requires a nationwide search and a formal appointment process. The Council has submitted to the Cook County Board of Commissioners the following resolution concerning the selection of the next Cook County Public Defender. This resolution is on the February 18, 2009 agenda for the Cook County Board.
RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE SELECTION OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER
WHEREAS, the office of the public defender is an office created by state statute, all as set forth in Article 3, Division 3-4 of the counties codes, 55 ILCS 5/1- 1001, et seq.; and
WHEREAS, Illinois Law provides that whenever a vacancy shall occur in the position of Public Defender in counties over 1,000,000, a properly qualified person shall be appointed to the position by the President with the advice and consent of the Board. 55 ILCS 5/3- 4004.1; and
WHEREAS, Illinois Law provides that the president shall select as Public Defender only a person with the following qualifications: an attorney whose practice of law has clearly demonstrated experience in the representation of persons accused of crime; who has been licensed to practice law in this State or in another state for at least 5 years; who has had administrative experience; and who is dedicated to the goals of providing high quality representation for eligible persons and to improving the quality of defense services generally. 55 ILCS 5/3-4004.2; and
WHEREAS, it is recognized that quality legal representation in criminal and related proceedings is a fundamental right of the people of the State of Illinois and that there should be no distinction in the availability of quality legal representation based upon a person's inability to pay. 55 ILCS 5/3-4000;
WHEREFORE, the President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, shall appoint a 15-member selection committee ("Selection Committee") which shall include one person designated by each of the following organizations as its representative: Chicago Bar Association, Women's Bar Association, Coalition for the Homeless, Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois, Cook County Bar Association, Chicago Council of Lawyers, Lesbian & Gay Bar Association of Chicago, Mandel Legal Clinic, Westside Minister's Coalition, PUSH-Rainbow Coalition, Illinois Public Defender Association, Juvenile Justice Initiative, one representative selected by Chief Judge Timothy Evans, one attorney (union) and one attorney (non- union) representative from the Public Defender's Office. The Selection Committee shall elect its chair from its own ranks and all decisions shall be by majority vote. The Selection Committee shall conduct a national search to fill the vacancy of the Public Defender. The Selection Committee shall recommend two (2) candidates for nomination and shall transmit their names to the President. One of the two candidates shall be selected by the president to be appointed to the position of Public Defender and submitted to the Board for approval.
Chicago Appleseed and NFA Produce "Scams and Swindles" Brochure
National Futures Association (NFA) announced today that it has published a new Spanish-language version of its investor education booklet entitled "Scams and Swindles: An Educational Guide to Avoiding Investment Fraud." The guide describes common characteristics of investment scams and outlines steps individuals can take to avoid them. The Spanish version of "Scams and Swindles" was produced in partnership with Chicago Appleseed Fund for Justice.
Single copies of both the English and Spanish versions of "Scams and Swindles" are offered free of charge. Individuals may order a copy of the publication by calling NFA's Information Center toll-free at 800- 621-3570 or by emailing NFA at information@nfa.futures.org. Individuals also have the option of viewing and printing the publication by downloading it from the Investor Learning Center of NFA's Web site.
NFA is the industrywide self-regulatory organization for the U.S. futures industry. Founded in 1982, NFA has developed innovative and efficient regulatory programs and services designed to safeguard the integrity of the futures markets and protect investors.
Representing and Treating the Mentally Ill in the Criminal Courts
MCLE Forum on Monday, March 2
The Chicago Council of Lawyers and Chicago Appleseed, in partnership with Chicago-Kent College of Law, are pleased to present our upcoming MCLE forum Representing and Treating the Mentally Ill in the Criminal Courts.
Date: Monday, March 2, 2009
Time: 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Location: Chicago-Kent College of Law Auditorium, 565 West Adams Street,
Chicago, IL 60661
Speakers:
Amy Campanelli, Acting Chief, Cook County Public Defender Bridgeview Courthouse
Jason Grebasch, Jail Linkage Team Leader at Thresholds
Mark Heyrman, Clinical Professor of Law at the University of Chicago's Mandel Clinic
Mark Kammerer, Director, Treatment Programs, Cook County State's Attorney's Office
The forum is free, but we ask that attendees RSVP to ccl@chicagocouncil.org. Attendees will earn 2 hours of MCLE credit.
agrant@chicagoappleseed.org
malcolmrich@chicagoappleseed.org
Phone: 312-988-6565
Fax: 312-654-8644
http://www.chicagoappleseed.org
http://www.chicagocouncil.org