Policy Statements
A Call for Reform in Central Bond Court
September 05, 2008
It was reported in the September 2, 2008 edition of the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin that U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Kendall ordered Sheriff Tom Dart to determine the eligibility of defendants for electronic monitoring while on home detention. Dart's attorney replied that the sheriff does not have the necessary information to make that eligibility decision. This conflict is part of a long-running class action lawsuit over jail overcrowding, but the consequences go beyond the simple calculation of whether there are enough beds at Cook County Jail.
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County Board urged to scrap resolution to dismiss public defender
April 17, 2008
...(T)he proposed resolution contains several allegations. It is clear, however, that the primary concern is that Burnette recently filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of County Board President Todd H. Stroger's interference with the operation of the public defender's office.
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Illinois Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty: A Policy Statement from the Chicago Council of Lawyers
December 01, 2007
A death penalty system that does not ensure the fair and just administration of law's ultimate punishment is reprehensible. Full implementation of essential safeguards designed to prevent wrongful imposition of the irrevocable sentence of death is more than an aspiration. It is a necessity. The Chicago Council of Lawyers believes that if Illinois is not wholeheartedly committed to enacting necessary reforms to a demonstrably broken system, the death penalty in this state should itself be extinguished.
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