Latest News - Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts

The Arbitrary Divide: Understanding Simple vs. Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Weapon

Written by Emily Drevdahl, Loyola School of Law, and Julian D. Cohen, Brown University. Over the past several years, gun possession charges have surged to become one of the most common offenses in Illinois, prompting some scholars to argue that the War on Drugs has evolved into a “War on Guns...

Speech: Co-Executive Director Naomi Johnson Speaks on the History and Future of the Collaboration for Justice

Naomi Johnson, Co-Executive Director of Chicago Appleseed and the Chicago Council of Lawyers, delivered the following remarks at the Collaboration for Justice's June 12th event celebrating the 55th anniversary of the Fund for Justice (now Chicago Appleseed). What a great video! Thank you, Ali, fo...

Victory: Pretrial Success Grant Program Preserved, Funding Kept for Critical Pretrial Services

On May 31, the Illinois General Assembly passed its annual budget, including a measure to ensure continued funding of the Pretrial Success grant program. Established in 2024 as part of the Pretrial Success Act, the program funds organizations that provide voluntary services aimed at ensuring individ...

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...

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...