• Program Updates: Financial Education; Criminal Justice Project; VoteForJudges.org
• New Initiatives: Downgrading Crime Statistics; Immigration Court Reform
• Volunteer Opportunities: Criminal Justice Project
• Next Month: 2005 Annual Report
• Congratulations to Executive Director Malcolm Rich!

Program Updates

Financial Education
We have completed our part of the bank survey as part of a nation- wide collaborative project funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The survey focuses on exchange rates for Chicago-area banks and credit unions. This survey leads to a broader project in which we will examine area banks' relationship with the Hispanic community, to ensure that this growing minority is receiving equal access to financial institutions in the Chicago metropolitan area.

Criminal Justice Project
We are in the process of updating the strategic plan to include suggestions from our advisory board. Final changes are being made to the interview instruments, and interviews are scheduled to begin in early December. Special thanks to the law firms of Sachnoff &Weaver, Baker & McKenzie, Schiff Hardin and Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal, who are donating several thousand hours of pro bono work to conduct interviews, courtwatch and analyze data.

VoteForJudges.org
Plans are in place to begin our 2006 Vote for Judges campaign, which includes an improved website, more community forums and more materials to educate voters. With the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, we will create a comprehensive voter guide for the November 2006 primary judicial elections.

New Initiatives

Downgrading Crime Statistics
Beginning in December, we will be studying the practice of downgrading crime statistics, particularly how this practice affects victims of domestic violence.

Immigration Court Reform
In August, we released a joint study with the Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago, "Videoconferencing in Removal Proceedings: A Case Study of the Chicago Immigration Court." Citing numerous problems caused by videoconferencing, we called for the Executive Office of Immigration Review, the agency in charge of immigration judges nationwide and under the Department of Justice, to issue a moratorium on the use of videoconferencing in immigration removal hearings. In 2006, we will continue our efforts for fair reform in the immigration court system.

Volunteer Opportunities

As always, volunteers are crucial to our programmatic success. We appreciate the time and talent of our volunteers, and their willingness to donate their resources to Chicago Appleseed. In the coming months, volunteers for the Criminal Justice Project will begin interviews and courtwatching.

More volunteers are still needed for this project and for many others. If you are interested in volunteering, please call Executive Director Malcolm Rich at 312-988-6552.

Next Month

Look for our 2005 Annual Report! Featuring news on programs, new initiatives and community partners, this annual report celebrates 35 years of the Fund for Justice.

Congratulations!

A big thanks and congratulations to Executive Director Malcolm Rich!

On December 1, Malcolm will reach the 19-year mark at both Chicago Appleseed and the Chicago Council of Lawyers. In addition to this milestone, he was awarded the Evelyn Singer Leadership Award from the Appleseed Foundation in early November. Congratulations, Malcolm, and thanks for your commitment to both Chicago Appleseed and the Chicago Council of Lawyers.

For more information about Chicago Appleseed, check out our website at www.chicagoappleseed.org.