Elizabeth Monkus -Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts |

About Elizabeth Monkus

Elizabeth Monkus (she/her) is the Senior Attorney & Project Director for Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts. Elizabeth came to Chicago Appleseed in 2010 to manage the Judicial Performance Commission Demonstration project. She currently focuses on domestic relations and judicial elections in her program work. View all posts by Elizabeth Monkus →

What We’re Supporting This Legislative Session—Spring 2026

As the Illinois Legislature settles into its spring session, advocates have begun sharing legislative priorities and asking for individuals and organizations to support pending legislation. Chicago Appleseed is supporting a number of bills, listed below, focused on court transparency, family courts,...

Understanding Barriers to Representation for Civil Contempt in Child Support Cases & Examining Rule 13.8(b)

Parents who fail to pay court-ordered child support can face a range of penalties, including civil contempt of court and misdemeanor or felony charges, which could result in fines or even incarceration. The data is incomplete, but it's estimated that at an average of 50,000 parents (mainly fathers)...

Common Law Privilege Barring Civil Arrests at Courthouses Reaffirmed by General Order in Cook County & Steps for Statewide Expansion

Chief Judge Evans has issued a General Administrative Order (GAO), effective today, asserting the common law privilege against civil arrests of people attending court in the Circuit Court of Cook County. The order states that no one attending court, as a witness or otherwise, "will be subjected...

RULING—Appellate Court in Police Arbitration Case Upholds Public Interest in Open and Transparent Police Oversight

Chicago Appleseed and Chicago Council of Lawyers have separately joined amicus briefs in 01-24-0875, an appeal by the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 7, seeking to reverse a trial court ruling that rejected an arbitrator's ruling which allowed Chicago police officers who are accused of serious m...

Clerk of Court Releases New Data Portal: A Crucial Step in the Right Direction

According to a candidate survey conducted by WTTW in 2024, Mariyana Spyropoulos’ “biggest goal” as Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County is to “create a professional, transparent Clerk's Office that is accessible to everyone.” In early April, the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County launche...

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