Voters Do Not Retain Cook County Judge

For the first time in nearly 30 years, Cook County voters have voted against the retention of a sitting Circuit Court judge. Judge Matthew Coghlan, who sat in the Criminal Courts, received less than the 60% “yes” vote necessary to retain his seat. The Illinois Supreme Court will appoint a replacemen...
November 7, 2018

Chicago Council of Lawyers Testimony at Consent Decree Hearings

Chicago Council of Lawyers offered testimony at the police accountability Consent Decree hearings this week. A representative of the Civil Liberties Committee gave remarks that went beyond the comments submitted in writing in August of this year.   The testimony began with the acknowledgment...
October 25, 2018

Happy Anniversary!

Yesterday, the Coalition to End Money Bond organized the Rally to End Money Bail with special guest, Matt Forte, to mark the one year anniversary of the General Order 18.8A. For those who couldn't make it, you can still check out the rally here. The Coalition has also issued an updated report to mar...
September 19, 2018

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...
August 24, 2018

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....
August 21, 2018