CBA Record January-February 2024

Chicago Bar Foundation Report

Building a Fairer and Better Justice System Together in 2023 By Emme Veenbaas

Y ou continue to make a tremendous impact through your foundation by joining with peers to make it possible for thousands of people in need to get critical legal help and make our legal system more fair, accessible, and equitable for all. Below are some examples of how you have continued to make a real difference over the past year while building a fairer and better justice system for the future. In this 75th Anniversary year of the CBF, the work you are making possible is more important than ever. You can learn more about the impact you are making and how you can get more involved in that work at chicagobarfoundation.org.

Housing and Debt Program Continues to Make a Difference

process for evictions and consumer debt cases to try to achieve three interrelated goals: create a fairer and better court process for all par ties; level the playing field for tenants and debtors; and avoid pre ventable evictions and consumer debt judgments whenever possible. The program has helped more than 60,000 people since its launch. It was featured by Cook County President Toni Preck winkle and her cabinet Offices Under the President as part of its Innovation Spotlight this past fall and has been recognized as a national model by the White House and national organizations.

Advocacy in Springfield

The CBF continues to be a lead partner with the Circuit Court, Cook County, and many other legal aid, government, and com munity partners in developing and managing the groundbreak ing Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt Program (CCLAHD). The program provides critical legal help and other assistance for people facing evictions, consumer debt challenges, foreclosure, and other housing issues. Through CCLAHD we collectively have reimagined the court From left: Nick Mathiowdis, Office of the President of Cook County’s Press Secretary; Carina Segalini, Court Administra tor & Program Manager for the Circuit Court of Cook County; Dennericka Brooks, Director of Legal Aid Chicago’s Housing Practice Group; Toni Preckwinkle, President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners; Dena Al-Khatib, Cook County Bureau of Economic Development Project Director; and CBF Executive Director Bob Glaves.

From left: CBF Board Member Brent Vincent, Bryan Cave Leigh ton & Paisner LLP; CBF Director of Court Advocacy Cortney Redman; Illinois State Senator Bill Cunningham; CBF Board President Kenya Jenkins-Wright, Illinois Guardianship & Advocacy Commission; IEJF Executive Director Leslie Corbett; and CBF Young Professionals Board Member Rachel Chang, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.

12 JanuaryFebruary 2024