Latest News - Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts

Policy Brief: Judicial Recusal

Last month, Chicago Appleseed shared a policy brief on judicial recusal standards with the Illinois Supreme Court. The policy brief, written by staff attorney Elizabeth Monkus with assistance from staff intern Sarah Swearer, focuses on the features of meaningful recusal standards and procedures. Sp...

Register Now for Webinar: Creating Safe, Profitable, Small Dollar Loans

Date: Thursday, January 17th Time: 2:00 pm CST Register Now Individuals need access to safe small dollar loans to assist them during periods of financial crisis without causing even greater hardship. Our Alternative Small Dollar Loan Toolkit aims to help banks and credit unions develop a sustainabl...

Justice System Advocates Caution Against Cell Phone Ban in Cook County Courts

Last month, the Cook County Circuit Court announced an electronic device ban, effective January 14, 2013, in all Cook County courts except the Daley Center, including the George N. Leighton Criminal Court Building at 26th Street and California Avenue. After discussing the proposed ban with many loca...

Forum on the Forgotten Guantanamo Detainees

This program will focus on half of the men still detained in Guantánamo. For at least 3 years, these 86 men have been cleared for release by unanimous agreement of the nation’s top intelligence, national security, law enforcement, and military officials. Yet taxpayers continue to spend $70 million p...

The Law Bulletin Reports on Weaknesses in Recusal Rules

Last week, the Chicago Law Bulletin reported (unfortunately, a paid account is required to view the article) on a judicial recusal issue in the involuntary manslaughter trial of Richard Vanecko, a nephew of former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley. Cook County Circuit Judge Arthur Hill, who served unde...