07.22.09 Progress through Partnership
E-Newsletter for members and friends of Chicago Appleseed and the Chicago Council of Lawyers
Stop Shortchanging the Courts
In Cook County, the criminal justice system has long been our de facto drug treatment and mental health system. It is expected to punish and to rehabilitate, and to do both with inadequate funding. While the Circuit Court of Cook County's Criminal Division has made significant and commendable progress in meeting this challenge, its success has been hampered due to a lack of fiscal resources.
In clear recognition that our courts have been handed an unfunded mandate by the state legislature to deal with the tens of thousands of cases where defendants need drug addiction treatment and mental health services, Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin sponsored a county ordinance that required a $5.00 per case mandatory fine to be assessed against traffic violators. This revenue was earmarked to fund necessary programs: youth court, drug court, and mental health court. These specialized programs help both adolescents and adults avoid unnecessary prison terms by providing them services they need - and save taxpayer money in the process.
But as recently reported by Chicago Public Radio, for the last year these fees have been funneled into the Cook County general operating fund because of an alleged legislative snafu. The diversion of these funds, whether intentional or negligent, is inexcusable and should immediately cease. The estimated $2 million lost by the court must be reinstated to the court services for which they are intended so that these programs can continue.
Research conducted by the Chicago Appleseed Fund for Justice, and the recommendations for innovation in our courts urged by both Chicago Appleseed and the Chicago Council of Lawyers, indicate that nearly half of the cases in our adult criminal justice system should not be there - that the defendants should be receiving treatment in an effort to reduce recidivism rather than languishing untreated in the Cook County Jail thereby costing the taxpayers untold millions of dollars. The ordinance allocating funds to the court programs is a step in the right direction. The roadblocks to reform should be lifted now, including the passage of legislation enabling the clerk of courts to disburse the money for the appropriate treatment programs.
Daniel T. Coyne
President, Chicago Council of Lawyers
Clinical Professor of Law
Chicago-Kent College of Law
Malcolm C. Rich
Executive Director
Chicago Council of Lawyers
Chicago Appleseed Fund for Justice
Chicago Appleseed to Present at PIRC Conference
Session focuses on parental involvement under NCLB
Research and Policy Associate Jose Melendez will present at the 2009 National PIRC (Parent Information Resource Center) Project Directors' Conference in Washington, D.C., on Friday. This session will introduce participants to advocacy as it relates to parental involvement under Title I, Section 1118. Specifically, PIRC parent representatives and other participants will identify the advocacy needs of the school, home, community, and students through a hands-on approach. Participants will work through a process of defining and categorizing advocacy issues; prioritizing their relationship to the school community; and discussing strategies, such as coalition-building, as a way to address advocacy issues.
The 2009 National PIRC Project Directors' Conference is an opportunity for the PIRC directors, other PIRC staff, and parent representatives to build a stronger educational system-one that recognizes that parental involvement is an important component of every child's education. This year's conference provides information and interactive opportunities about many recent and upcoming developments in parental and community involvement practices, policies, and programs.
For more information on Chicago Appleseed's parental involvement initiatives, click here.
Recent Cy Pres and Grant Awards
Chicago Appleseed is pleased to announce recent awards and grants. We are the grateful recipient of a generous cy pres award, directed to us by Ron Futterman. Mr. Futterman, of Futterman Howard Watkins Wylie & Ashley Chtd., is a long-time supporter of Chicago Appleseed and the Council.
Recent grant awards come from the Chicago Community Trust (to continue our advocacy and reform in the Cook Country Criminal Justice System) and the State Street Foundation (to support our work in Financial Education and Access for low-income populations). Both Foundations have funded Chicago Appleseed in past years, and we appreciate their continued support.
If you are searching for a worthy group to become a cy pres award recipient, please think of Chicago Appleseed. Our work in Cook County and throughout Illinois can succeed only with your help. For more information about directing cy pres awards or other donations to Chicago Appleseed, please contact Development Director Amanda Grant at agrant@chicagoappleseed.org.
Transforming Cook County's Criminal Justice System
Forum to be broadcast on CAN-TV
Transforming Cook County's Criminal Justice System, a MCLE forum hosted by Chicago Appleseed and the Chicago Council of Lawyers in May, is being broadcast on CAN-TV.
Tune in:
Friday, July 24th, 8:00 AM, Channel 19
Monday, August 3rd, 8:00 AM, Channel 19
Speakers:
Michael Bacula, Cook County Adult Probation
Paula Wolff, Senior Executive, Chicago Metropolis 2020
Maggie Peck, Program Associate, Vera Institute Center on Sentencing and Corrections
Charles Loeffler, PhD Candidate, Harvard University and Research Consultant for Chicago Appleseed Fund for Justice and Chicago Council of Lawyers
The forum was moderated by Randolph Stone, Clinical Professor of Law, The University of Chicago Law School.