Are you available November 14-15 and looking for a meaningful way to support the next generation of legal advocates? Northwestern University’s annual Mock at the Rock Invitational is seeking volunteer judges! Learn more: chicagocouncil.org/event/northw...

One week ago, we came together for the Chicago Council of Lawyers’ More Perfect Union Fund Luncheon. www.youtube.com/shorts/5iCSl... Thank you to everyone who attended, supported, and helped make this year’s event such a meaningful success.

Yesterday, David Melton, Acting Executive Director of the Chicago Council of Lawyers, attended the swearing-in ceremony for the new Circuit Court of Cook County Associate Judges.

Join the Chicago Council of Lawyers on June 23rd at 11:30 am for an afternoon dedicated to advancing the principles of justice, accountability, and the rule of law. Visit our website to learn more and support: chicagocouncil.org/event/more-p...

Join us in person or online for a free and timely panel discussion on how various groups are working to hold ICE accountable for its actions in Chicago. Learn more about the event and register: chicagocouncil.org/event/ice-ov... Please share the details of this event with your network!

Continuing a long-standing commitment to judicial integrity, transparency, and accountability, the Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening has issued its evaluations of judicial candidates ahead of the 2026 primary election. Learn more: chicagocouncil.org/alliance-of-...

We stand with our Board Member and constitutional advocate, Robert Held, as he speaks out against an unprovoked attack by an off-duty ICE agent. Read his full statement: chicagocouncil.org/statement-fr...

Register and join the Civil Disagreements Virtual Program ‘Unitary Executive Theory: Legitimate Constitutional Theory or Path To Dictatorship?’ on January 22, 2026, at 1 pm EST. 1 hour of CLE will be available to Illinois lawyers from the CCL. americanbar.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Your voice matters—by sharing your opinions, observations, and experiences, LAP can better support lawyers in their work and personal lives.  Please look for the Survey invite in your email inbox.

Thank you for joining us at our fall event! From policy to practice, we're transforming courts, reducing harms, and working toward a system of true justice.

Read our letter to Gov Pritzker & Mayor Thompson regarding reforms to the restrictions on protests in Broadview & to the police discretion employed there. chicagocouncil.org/letter-to-go...

Join us at Broadview tomorrow, Saturday, October 18, at 5:00 PM. Broadview ICE facility, 1930 Beach Street Come stand with a colleague defending constitutional principles when they are most needed.

In the spirit of the CJ's order barring civil arrests of people participating in court, we've offered some resources and opportunities for community support in the pushback against ICE in Chicago. chicagocouncil.org/resources-fo...

The Chicago Council of Lawyers condemns what is happening with purported immigration enforcement in Broadview, Illinois. Read our statement here: chicagocouncil.org/2025-09-30-c...

See our post from September 16—The Independence of Federal Law Enforcement—Under Assault from long time board member Rob Held. chicagocouncil.org/the-independ...

www.chicagogapacoalition.com/general-9 the Grassroots Alliance for Police Accountability is searching for a full-time Campaign Coordinator.

This is very concerning for us, as Illinois was the first state in the country to abolish money bond in 2023 with the Pretrial Fairness Act—one of the most significant reforms to the Illinois criminal legal system ever.

Trump is targeting jurisdictions that have implemented money bond reforms. There's still some question about what exactly this means, but it's been reported that the order will "revoke federal funding from local and state governments that allow cashless bail." bit.ly/CCL-Protect-PFA

Read our statement on the proposed defunding of #LegalServicesCorporation #Courts #LegalAid #CivilLegalServices chicagocouncil.org/chicago-coun...

Our partner NPO advocacy organization @chicagoappleseed.org is having a social fundraiser at the end of September! Join them for an evening of casual fun for a good cause. $15 entry $5 to sing #KaraokeForAdvocacy Tickets at: bit.ly/karaokeforadvocacy

Register for our annual police accountability forum. Attend in person (light lunch will be served!) or via Zoom (link forthcoming). bit.ly/CCL_PAF2025 The forum is open to everyone and #CLE credit is available for attorneys. @acslaw.bsky.social #Chicago #PoliceAccountability

Join Statement from Bar Associations, Rule of Law Organizations, and Lawyers re the Deployment of Federalized Troops in Los Angeles nationoflaws.org

Thanks to everyone who joined the #2Civility summit on bullying in the legal profession yesterday! We invite you to take the challenge: www.2civility.org/stand-up-to-...

Civil Disagreements: Power, Liberty, and Regulation after Chevron June 3 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm. Info: www.reformforillinois.org/event/civil-... Register: americanbar.zoom.us/webinar/regi... 1 hour general CLE credit pending.

Over 60 state and local orgs in Illinois have endorsed the FAIR Act, including us, our partner @chicagoappleseed.org

Illinois has not significantly updated its public defense structure since 1949. And now Illinois is an outlier and one of only a handful of states with no statewide body to ensure an effective public defense system.

The FAIR Act follows recommendations made by a 2021 Illinois Supreme Court-commissioned study released in 2021 & a 2023 Illinois Judicial Conference Task Force report. It would set workload standards, support training and enhance resources for county public defense systems across the state.

secure.chicagoappleseed.org/forms/2025-s... Join us on June 12, from 6-9pm at the Greenhouse Loft to get to know our team and our supporters and celebrate our work for court transparency, accountability, and economic justice.

We're still finalizing the panel, but you can register for our Annual Police Accountability Forum, in person and online, June 27. CLE credit available. Free to CCL members and attendees not seeking CLE. bit.ly/CCL_PAF2025

"The Judiciary & Executive Actions." May 21 at 5:15 pm. 1 hour of CLE. Come hear renowned experts on executive authority provide an overview of these cases, explain the legal context and environment, and describe what to expect next. Register here. tinyurl.com/ISBA-Event