The Independent Police Review Authority Calls for Engagement to Move Forward

On Wednesday, May 8, 2013 the Chicago Council of Lawyers, the Chicago Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society, and the Office of the Cook County Public Defender hosted the forum, Investigating and Reporting on Complaints against Chicago Police Officers, concerning the work of the Indepen...

How Can Justice Be Efficient? Innovators Discuss in Cook County Forum

At the Justice Through Efficiency forum on Monday, criminal justice innovators shared lessons about managing a crowded urban justice system. The forum was particularly timely, as Cook County looks for ways to reduce its jail population safely and cost-effectively. You can read the complete bios of p...

Cook County Deprives Defendants of a Public Defense

Chicago, IL, May 1, 2013 -- In courtrooms across Cook County, a Chicago Appleseed investigation has confirmed, defendants are being denied a public defense solely because they have posted bond to get out of jail. The denials come without a constitutionally required hearing on the defendant’s finance...
Seal of Cook County, Illinois

Coordination is the Key to the Cook County Electronic Monitoring Problem

The April 26th “Change of Subject” column column by Chicago Tribune op-ed columnist Eric Zorn discusses the drop in the number of defendants released on electronic home monitoring which is contributing to the critical problem of jail overcrowding in Cook County.  The current population of Cook Count...