The Cook County’s public defender, whose office represents low-income defendants, warned Monday that she would stop accepting some new criminal cases if a new round of proposed countywide budget cuts go through.
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On October 4, 2017, MacArthur Foundation President Julia Stasch announced a grant of $1.85 million to the Cook County Criminal Justice System to help promote the goal of further reducing the population of the Cook County Jail. The grant is, in part, an acknowledgement by the MacArthur Foundation of the cooperative efforts of the Cook County Criminal Court Stakeholders, including Chief Judge Timothy Evans, Public Defender Amy Campanelli, State's Attorney Kim Foxx, Sheriff Tom Dart and Clerk of the Circuit Court Dorothy Brown, in finding alternatives to incarceration for crimi
On August 1, 2017, Cook County Public Defender Amy Campanelli, along with Cook County Commissioner Jesus Garcia, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, and Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County Dorothy Brown, held a press conference to report on the memorandum prepared by former Attorney General of the United States Eric Holder, Jr., which analyzed the bond court system in Illinois, and particularly in Cook County, and made recommendations for reform.
On Tuesday, September 12, 2017, the Illinois Supreme Court heard oral argument about whether the Public Defender of Cook County should be held in contempt of court after refusing to represent a client due to a conflict of interest.
CHICAGO—Last week, it was announced that Cook County has been recognized with nine Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.
Only one percent of people arrested by Chicago police last year got an attorney while still at the station. That’s according to the nonprofit First Defense Legal Aid, which is part of a new push to get arrestees representation earlier. Last week, the chief judge of the Cook County Circuit Court signed an order designed to ensure everyone in custody has legal representation, even if they can’t afford to pay an attorney. Joining Chicago Tonight to discuss the new order are Circuit Court of Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans; and Cook County Public Defender Amy Campanelli.
People held in custody by Chicago police will have access to an attorney at no charge under an order signed Tuesday by Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans.
The aim of the change is to rectify a glaring constitutional issue — the vast majority of those arrested in Chicago don't receive legal representation until their bail hearing in court, often after they've already made incriminating statements to detectives, according to research by a legal aid group.
Many key players in the legal system applauded Evans' move, which some declared "ground-breaking."
