Latest News - Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts

Introducing the 2025 FJLOC Cohort’s Ambitious Social Justice Projects

The 2025 Future Justice Lawyers of Chicago (FJLOC) officially began on their program January 11, 2025, marking another year of committed student engagement in pressing legal and social justice issues. The purpose of our FJLOC program is help local students understand how they can pursue careers focu...

VICTORY: The FAIR Act Passes, Office of State Public Defender Will Be Established

On May 31, 2025, the Funded Advocacy & Independent Representation (FAIR) Act was passed by both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly. The FAIR Act requires Illinois to establish an Office of the State Public Defender; Illinois will join 45 states in our nation in creating a public oversight...

BREAKING – HB 1628 Passes, Marking an Important Step Toward Data Collection and Transparency in Reporting Civil Asset Forfeiture Practices

Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts is celebrating the passage of Illinois House Bill 1628, an important step toward enhancing data collection and transparency in reporting in civil asset forfeiture practices. This bill builds on reforms from 2018 to the civil asset forfeiture reporting process...

BREAKING – SB 108 Passes, Making the Current Cook County Specific Partial Traffic Fee Waiver Program Permanent

We are proud to be members of the Illinois Fines & Fees Coalition and celebrate alongside our partners the passage of SB 108, the Traffic Fee Waiver Sunset Elimination Bill, which makes the current Cook County-specific partial traffic fee waiver program permanent. The bill now moves to Governor...

SB 2447: Advancing Fairness in Illinois Court Costs, Assessments, and Fees

Chicago Appleseed has long fought for fairness in court fines and fees, a source of systemic inequity in the Illinois legal system. These financial penalties impact low-income residents, contributing to cycles of debt and poverty. In 2018, the Illinois General Assembly passed the Criminal and Traffi...