legal financial obligations Archives - Page 6 of 8 - Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts

The Stories Behind Criminal Justice Debt, pt.1

** For the rest of August, we will be sharing personal stories of those affected by criminal justice debt to show the impact of court costs, fines, and fees on individuals and families in Illinois. If you would like to see the bi-partisan bill HB 4594-The Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act, be sign...

An Appellate Case Concerning Fines and Fees

Chicago Appleseed and Chicago Council of Lawyers have been advocating for reform to Illinois’ system of imposing court fees, costs and fines on defendants and civil litigants for years. The systems are burdensome and arbitrary, and unfairly fund the costs of trial by burdening the state Constitution...

Illinois Takes First Step in Criminal Justice Debt Reform With Passage of HB 4594- The Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act

On May 31st, HB 4594- The Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act passed the Illinois General Assembly with broad bi-partisan support. It is currently on its way to the Governor’s desk for signing. HB 4594 reforms Illinois’ system of court costs, fines, and fees and reduces the burden of court costs, f...

Driven Into Debt: The Importance of Reforming Wealth-Based Driver’s License Suspension

On May 7, 2018, Chicago Appleseed and our partners in the Working Group on Court Costs, Fines, and Fees released our policy positions on criminal court fines, fees, and costs. Using impact data and research, the Working Group developed a list of policy commitments aimed at mitigating the impact of c...

Announcing Policy Positions on Criminal Court Fines, Fees, & Costs + Action Needed Today!

To skip right to action step and file a witness slip in support of The Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act (HB 4594), click here! In one of the richest countries in the world, local and state governments impose the costs of financing the criminal court system on the backs of those who can least af...

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