Latest News
02.04.11
Chicago Appleseed Promotes Community Schools in "Same Starting Line" Report
Category: Blog
Appleseed, Chicago Appleseed's national affiliate, released a major report that reveals significant resource disparities between high poverty schools and their middle and upper class counterparts. Entitled "The Same Starting Line: How School Boards Can Erase the Opportunity Gap Between Poor and Middle-Class Children," the report analyzes evidence of disproportionate school resources. Read more about this timely publication on our blog and share with us your experiences and thoughts.
02.01.11
Questioning Civil Law Suits Used in the War on Crime
Category: Blog
On our blog, you can read what Gabriel A. Fuentes - a former Chicago federal prosecutor and current president of the Chicago Council of Lawyers - has to say about use of civil law suits in the war on crime.
01.31.11
The Case for A Diversion Division: Court Reform is Cost Reform
Category: Policy Statements
New Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has called for substantial budget cuts to combat a budget deficit of nearly 500 million dollars. Chicago Appleseed Fund for Justice and the Chicago Council of Lawyers have been working with Chief Judge Tim Evans, the Cook County Sheriff, the Cook County Public Defender's Office, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, Cook County Adult Probation, and Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer and her staff to develop a proposed Diversion Court System which is projected to provide meaningful financial benefits to the Criminal Division of the Circuit Court and related agencies.
01.26.11
Who Ruled That Rahm Couldn't Run?
Category: Blog
On Monday, January 25, an Illinois Appellate Court, comprised of Judges Bertina Lampkin, Shelvin Hall, and Thomas Hoffman, ruled that Rahm Emanuel did not meet the residency requirements of a Chicago mayoral candidate, and thus was ineligible to run in the upcoming election. Just who exactly ARE these judges? Read evaluation excerpts by the Chicago Council of Lawyers on our blog.
01.25.11
Bet On Bank On Chicago
Category: Blog
Appleseed has long advocated for financial education and access, as well as bank accountability. Recently, Appleseed joined the Illinois Asset Building Group in arguing for the profitability of small dollar loans (a non-predatory alternative to so-called payday loans) for financial institutions interested in enhancing their income while serving their communities. Today, Chicago Appleseed applauds the City of Chicago for sponsoring "Bank On Chicago." Read more about this wonderful program on our blog.
01.20.11
Letter to the Governor
Category: Blog
Gabriel A. Fuentes, President, Chicago Council of Lawyers, wrote a strong letter to Gov. Pat Quinn as to why he must end capital punishment in the state of IL. You can read the letter on our blog. Please leave a comment and share with us your thoughts on this very important topic.
01.12.11
Parents, Communities, and Chicago Public Schools: A Promising Partnership
Category: Blog
Are you a parent, community organization, school administrator, or teacher interested in learning more about benefiting from greater community involvement? Chicago Appleseed recently conducted extensive interviews and research on the impact of parental and community partnership with schools. Read more about this promising partnership on our blog.
01.10.11
Court Reform is Cost Reform
Category: Blog
For the last year, Chicago Appleseed has been working with major stakeholders on a Diversion Court Program in an effort to divert individuals who need drug, mental health and other non-traditional services into appropriate treatment programs prior to commencement of their case. On our blog, you can read about how this program will benefit the courts, improve our communities, reduce recidivism, while saving Cook County millions in felony processing costs each year.
01.05.11
A DREAM Deferred: Federal DREAM Act Fades in Lame Duck Congress
Category: Blog
The DREAM Act fell 5 votes shy of the 60 needed for passage. Read more about "A DREAM Deferred: Federal DREAM Act Fades in Lame Duck Congress" on our blog.
12.14.10
The Importance of Citizen Oversight of the Judiciary
Category: Blog
Independence in the judiciary is vital to the promotion of justice. So is excellence. Read how Chicago Appleseed is working to promote both on our blog.