Budget Standoff Threatens Flagship Court Reform

The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin published an editorial by Chicago Appleseed Fund for Justice regarding the impact of the state fiscal crisis on the state's flagship prison diversion program, Adult Redeploy Illinois. The full text is reprinted below and a .pdf is available here: In this week’s state...
February 4, 2016

Chicago Council of Lawyers’ Statement on the Chicago Police Department

Chicago Appleseed Fund for Justice has been a part of the Chicago social justice community for over 40 years. We are proud of the relationships we have built with many reform-minded members of our courts and County government. Like the rest of the community, we are disturbed by the systemic failures...
December 10, 2015

Stories from ACT Court Ambassadors

At the Collaboration for Justice's Annual Luncheon on Friday, October 16, we honored the Access to Community Treatment Court of Cook County with our Commitment to Justice Award. We also recognized three extraordinary graduates of the ACT Court--Lester, Angelique, and Cynthia--who attended the lunch...
October 27, 2015
Illinois State Capitol, Photo by Daniel Schwen

Chicago Appleseed Placed on Study Committee for Drug Field-Testing Program

On August 21, 2015, HB356, a bill establishing a pilot drug field-testing program was enacted, having passed both houses of the Illinois legislature and being signed by Governor Rauner. The bill, chiefly sponsored by Representative Zalewski in the House and Senator Harmon in the Senate, was develope...
September 14, 2015

ACT Court Milestone

Last week, the Access to Community Treatment Court achieved a major milestone, celebrating its first graduation for individuals who have successfully completed the problem-solving court program. 16 individuals were recognized for their efforts.  Several graduates shared powerful remarks about their...
September 14, 2015