Latest News
06.13.11
Doctors' Orders: Treat, Don't Incarcerate, Mentally Ill and Addicts
Category: Blog
The New England Journal of Medicine, recently published a piece offering a fresh perspective on the US policy of incarcerating drug users and the mentally ill. “Medicine and the Epidemic of Incarceration” takes a public health approach to an issue typically characterized as a criminal justice issue. Chicago Appleseed has been advocating one proven approach to providing treatment for qualified nonviolent offenders: diversion. By linking a large population of offenders with community-based treatment, Cook County will save considerable funds while rectifying an injustice that has disproportionately impacted nonwhite and poor offenders. You can read more about this on our blog.
06.10.11
What We Read, June 6-10
Category: Blog
Our staff has rounded up some interesting articles this week which include: The Smart on Crime Coalition's new report and recommendations, which provides a “comprehensive view of the federal government’s role in improving criminal justice systems.” Chicago Public Radio’s "This American Life" reported on the process by which Cook County judicial candidates are slated by the powerful Democratic Committee in their episode, “Old Boys Network.” You can read more about these topics and articles on our blog.
06.03.11
ABA Provides Excellent Resources for Criminal Justice Reform
Category: Blog
The ABA's Criminal Justice Section "State Policy Implementation Project" includes a collection of research and recommendations that contain publicly available tools for advocates who, like Chicago Appleseed, work toward criminal justice reform. Please visit our blog to read more about each of the categories and learn how this helps further our own advocacy work.
06.03.11
What We Read, May 30-June 3
Category: Blog
This weeks roundup of interesting stories include: "The Nation's" interview with ACLU lawyer Michelle Alexander about US Supreme Court's recent ruling on California prisons; National average of violent crime has dropped without explanation; Mayor Emanuel adds 500 officers; and more.
06.01.11
Immigration and Criminal Justice Reforms Needed
Category: E-Newsletters
E-Newsletter for members and friends of Chicago Appleseed and the Chicago Council of Lawyers
05.31.11
Immigration Court Reform Serves Everyone's Interest
Category: Blog
A recent two-part AP report on immigration court captured the system’s stunning dysfunction: a “massive crisis” in which judges, immigrants, lawyers, and reformers alike are overwhelmed, exhausted, frustrated, and fed up. American taxpayers should be fed up, too. On our blog you can read what Chicago Appleseed is doing to improve efficiency and ensure Justice in the Immigration Court System.
05.25.11
From Our Blog: Evaluating Judges
Category: Blog
Every six years, a circuit judge in Illinois must face the voters and achieve a 60 percent "YES" vote in order to retain his or her seat on the bench. But in every retention election, many voters abandon the ballot, frustrated by its length and by the lack of useful information with which to make an informed decision. Chicago Appleseed supports a project that hopes to address this gap in voter education: the Judicial Performance Commission (JPC) of Cook County. Visit our blog to learn more.
05.23.11
A Plan for Cook County Diversion Court
Category: Chicago Appleseed In The News
Illinois Association for Criminal Justice (IllinoisCriminalJustice.org) referenced a story that was recently published on the "Huffington Post" about Chicago Appleseed's and the Chicago Council of Lawyers plan to implement a Cook County Diversion Court.
05.23.11
Forum to Discuss Judicial Retention Reform
Category: Press Releases
The Chicago Council of Lawyers and Chicago Appleseed, in conjunction with the Public Affairs Judiciary Subcommittee of the Union League Club, is hosting a Judicial Retention Forum. Panelists include: Justice Gino DiVito, who served as a judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County for 12 years and as a Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court for eight years, and Judge William Hooks, who currently serves as a Judge assigned to the Criminal Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County; moderated by J. Timothy Eaton, past-president of the Illinois State Bar Association and current secretary of the Chicago Bar Association.
05.20.11
What We Read, May 16-20
Category: Blog
We've rounded up some interesting articles this week, which discuss topics such as: reducing immigration court backlog; prison reform; an interactive guide to Chicago's aldermen; the importance of investing in human services (touching on community schools); and the proposed redistricting map.