Evidence-Based Reform and Gun Violence

Chicago Appleseed and Chicago Council of Lawyers have joined a letter urging Congress to formally repeal the Dickey Amendment that currently creates an effective ban on federal health agencies like the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) from conducting research into the causes, effects, and evidence-...

The Bi-Partisan Dream Act Strengthens Communities

Senator Durbin (D-Illinois), along with Senator Graham (R-South Carolina), has re-introduced the Dream Act, legislation to streamline the immigration process for young people who have lived in the United States since childhood. It was first introduced in 2001 and despite broad bi-partisan support, i...

Restorative Justice Community Court profiled in The Atlantic

Chicago Appleseed's senior criminal justice policy analyst Sharlyn Grace was quoted in a story that came out today in The Atlantic, "Should Communities Have a Say in How Residents Are Punished for Crime?" Chicago Appleseed is proud to play a role in designing and implementing Cook County's first...

Youth Opportunity and Fairness Act

The Youth Opportunity and Fairness Act (HB 3817/SB 2021) has been introduced in the Illinois Legislature. The Act both strengthens confidentiality of juvenile records while improving the processes for expunging juvenile records. The Act would bring Illinois' laws into line with the American Bar Asso...