News Tag: Advocacy
November 2, 2016
Don’t Miss the Annual CBF Advocacy Workshop!
After all the election results are in and the dust has settled, the CBF will hold its 3rd annual Advocacy Workshop! Larry Suffredin, CBA Legislative Counsel and Cook County Board Commissioner, will share his wisdom about the new landscape at the federal, state and local levels and how that may impact access to justice issues.
Tags: Advocacy | Training read more ...September 27, 2016
Advocacy Workshop
On November 17th, from 8 to 9:30 am (location TBD), after all the election results are in and the dust has settled, the CBF will hold its 3rd annual Advocacy Workshop. Larry Suffredin, CBA Legislative Counsel and Cook County Board Commissioner, will discuss what the results mean for access to justice on the local, state, and federal level. 1 hour of CLE credit is expected. To register, or for more information, email Angela Inzano.
Tags: Advocacy | Take Action read more ...July 14, 2016
Illinois has a (stop-gap) budget!
We are happy to report that the temporary budget released funding under the Access to Justice Act to begin developing a central hotline and network of legal assistance that will help thousands of veterans and military families in need throughout the state. Join us in thanking Attorney General Lisa Madigan, the four legislative leaders (Speaker […]
Tags: Advocacy | Legal Aid Funding read more ...June 20, 2016
Fees, Fines, & Other Barriers to Access to Justice
The Statutory Court Fee Task Force, created as part of the Access to Justice Act, has issued its findings, including legislative recommendations for addressing barriers to access to justice and additional issues associated with fees and other court costs in civil, criminal, and traffic proceedings. The report found, for example, that court fines and fees are constantly increasing and outpacing inflation.
Check out their recommendations and let us know what you think (ainzano@chicagobar.org or 312-554-4952), as they are likely to be among the CBF’s top legislative priorities for the coming year.
Tags: Advocacy | Courts read more ...May 16, 2016
Support the Employer Participation in Student Loan Assistance Act
As we all know, some of us all too well, the amount of student loan debt in the United States is at an all-time high. At the CBF, we are exploring ways to work with members of Congress to address the student loan crisis and save the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
TAKE ACTION! In the meantime, we ask you to contact your elected officials in support of H.R. 3861, the Employer Participation in Student Loan Assistance Act, which would create a tax break for employers who assist their employees with student loan repayment (similar to the way health insurance works now).
Tags: Advocacy | Loan Forgiveness | Take Action read more ...
May 10, 2016
CBF Fights for Equal Justice at ABA Day
Last month, attorneys and staff members representing the CBA and CBF, the Illinois State Bar Association, and the American Bar Association again traveled to Washington D.C. to participate in ABA Day, the ABA’s annual advocacy event in Washington. Each year, Congress considers legislation that impacts access to justice, the justice system, and the legal profession. That’s why it is vital that leaders in our legal community in Chicago, and elsewhere in Illinois, participate in ABA Day each year to educate Congress on important issues impacting access to justice for Illinois residents. Proudly representing the CBF were CBF President Allegra Nethery, Advocacy Committee Co-Chairs Greg Boyle and Dawn Willis, Advocacy Committee member Emily Roschek, Executive Director Bob Glaves, and Program Manager Angela Inzano.
Tags: Advocacy | Legal Aid Funding read more ...April 25, 2016
Advocate for Public Service Loan Forgiveness
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program provides a critical tool for public interest minded lawyers to pursue careers in public service and government. Under PSLF, those who make ten years of payments on their student loans while employed full-time in public service jobs are eligible to have their remaining balance forgiven.
In recent budget proposals, President Obama has proposed capping the amount of loans that can be forgiven, and some in Congress have proposed cutting the program entirely.
TAKE ACTION: Contact Senators Durbin and Kirk, the President, and your Congressperson and let them know why PSLF is important to you, the legal profession, and the low-income clients served by public interest lawyers thanks to this much-needed assistance.
[spacer] Tags: Advocacy | Public Interest read more ...
March 23, 2016
Thanking Congress Members for LSC Support
Congress has started considering the FY17 budget, including funding for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). Join us in thanking President Obama, Senators Durbin and Kirk, and your member of Congress for their past support of LSC funding, and please urge their continued support. A special thanks to Congressman Bob Dold for his work this year leading the bipartisan efforts to encourage his colleagues in the House to support LSC funding.
Find and Contact your Legislators
Tags: Advocacy | Legal Aid Funding | LSC read more ...February 19, 2016
Lobbying and Touring at the State Capital
The CBA Young Lawyers Section and CBF are set to explore Springfield, Illinois on Tuesday, April 5 to Wednesday, April 6, 2016.
There will be opportunities to learn more about Illinois’ legislative process and how to lobby, as well as to meet with legislators and make new connections. Highlights include tours of the Capitol Building and Illinois Supreme Court; viewing of the General Assembly and Committees; and free time to explore Springfield (including the Lincoln Museum).
Law students and attorneys of all experience levels are welcome! Learn more and register.
Tags: Advocacy | Events read more ...January 19, 2016
Federal Budget Update: Modest Increases for Legal Aid and Court Funding
As Congress concluded the 2016 budget process in December, there was some modestly good news for access to justice. Thank you to everyone who contacted Senators Durbin and Kirk and your Representative about funding for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) as the budget process was playing out. With important leadership from the Illinois delegation, LSC received a modest $10 million increase for 2016.
While there is much more work to be done for LSC funding to get to an appropriate level, this was a step in the right direction in the still challenging budget environment in Washington. The federal courts also received a modest funding increase that was largely in line with the Judiciary’s request for this year.
Tags: Advocacy | Legal Aid Funding | LSC read more ...