Fines Fees Costs Archives - Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts

The Stories Behind Criminal Justice Debt, pt.2

By Lindsay Hagy, Pro Bono Volunteer and Chair of the Court Costs, Fines, and Fees Working Group This week Governor Rauner signed HB 4594, The Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act, into law. The law will go into effect in 2019 and will help many Illinoisans who could be negatively impacted by...

Governor Rauner Signs The Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act into Law!

Chicago Appleseed is excited to share that yesterday, Governor Rauner signed HB 4594- The Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act into law. The Act reforms Illinois’ system of court costs, fines, and fees and reduces the burden of court costs, fines, and fees on Illinoisans who can’t afford to pay them....

The Stories Behind Criminal Justice Debt, pt.1

** For the rest of August, we will be sharing personal stories of those affected by criminal justice debt to show the impact of court costs, fines, and fees on individuals and families in Illinois. If you would like to see the bi-partisan bill HB 4594-The Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act, be sign...

An Appellate Case Concerning Fines and Fees

Chicago Appleseed and Chicago Council of Lawyers have been advocating for reform to Illinois’ system of imposing court fees, costs and fines on defendants and civil litigants for years. The systems are burdensome and arbitrary, and unfairly fund the costs of trial by burdening the state Constitution...

Illinois Takes First Step in Criminal Justice Debt Reform With Passage of HB 4594- The Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act

On May 31st, HB 4594- The Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act passed the Illinois General Assembly with broad bi-partisan support. It is currently on its way to the Governor’s desk for signing. HB 4594 reforms Illinois’ system of court costs, fines, and fees and reduces the burden of court costs, f...

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