Latest News - Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts

Annual Forum on Police Accountability

Chicago Appleseed looks forward to hosting the Annual Forum on Police Accountability at Chicago-Kent College of Law on May 17th with the Chicago Council of Lawyers, the Chicago Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society, the Chicago Kent Student Chapter of the American Constitution Society,...

Restorative Justice Community Court profiled in The Atlantic

Chicago Appleseed's senior criminal justice policy analyst Sharlyn Grace was quoted in a story that came out today in The Atlantic, "Should Communities Have a Say in How Residents Are Punished for Crime?" Chicago Appleseed is proud to play a role in designing and implementing Cook County's first...

Introducing Principles for Bail Reform in Cook County

Principles of Bail Reform in Cook County The pretrial detention system in Cook County needs reform. Cook County Jail incarcerates approximately 7,500 people per day. An additional 2,000 people are under the Sheriff’s supervision through electronic monitoring. More than 90% of the people detained are...

Youth Opportunity and Fairness Act

The Youth Opportunity and Fairness Act (HB 3817/SB 2021) has been introduced in the Illinois Legislature. The Act both strengthens confidentiality of juvenile records while improving the processes for expunging juvenile records. The Act would bring Illinois' laws into line with the American Bar Asso...

Appellate Court Orders Hearings Before Bond Money is Taken, Review of Fines, Fees, and Costs

Last month, the Appellate Court of Illinois in the First District handed down a decision in Illinois v. Glass that reinforces the urgent need for reform regarding some of the primary avenue through which Illinois courts collect money from criminal defendants. In a ruling delivered by Justice Mikva,...