Judicial Perfomance Commission Nears Completion of Evaluation

The Judicial Performance Commission of Cook County Pilot Project has nearly completed the evaluation phase of the project. Following an appeals process for those judges who have not been recommended for retention, the recommendations will be released to the public in mid-September for their referenc...

America: Land of the Not So Free

The July 22nd issue of The Economist featured a cover story entitled "Rough Justice in America" that examines America's love affair with locking up its citizens. The article makes a compelling case lowering both the rate and duration of criminal sentences resulting in imprisonment and increasing res...

Taking the Lead in Promoting Community Engagement in Schools

We previously posted about the importance of parent and community engagement in schools. When parents are actively involved in their children's education, students are more positive about learning, graduate from high school and enroll in college at higher rates, and are less likely to use alcohol an...

Parental Involvement and Community Support

Earlier this month, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan called for increased parental and community involvement in schools. This emphasis on marrying formal education with family support reinforced speculation that the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act, slated for later this year, will...

Happy Independence Day!

From all of us at Chicago Appleseed, have a safe and fun Independence Day celebration!  Our offices will be closed on Monday, July 5 in observance of the holiday.  Happy Fourth of July!...