Ending money bond in Illinois supports families, public safety, and racial justice. CGLA fought for this legislation alongside many partners across Illinois. Now that it is under attack, please join us in calling on the Illinois Governor and Legislature to defend the Pretrial Fairness Act.

Wanna do meaningful work with great people? @cabrinigreenlegal.bsky.social is hiring a Campaigns Organizer and Communications Manager. Check out www.cgla.net/careers

Yesterday, @govpritzker.illinois.gov signed the FAIR Act into law! This historic legislation creates a Statewide Public Defender Office, marking the first major overhaul of the state’s trial-level public defense system since 1949. endmoneybond.org/2025/08/16/g...

Justice-impacted Illinoisans face lifelong barriers to housing, employment & education. CGLA’s Cynthia Cornelius has dedicated herself to changing that. Check out her story in the Chicago Reporter! www.chicagoreporter.com/the-chicago-...

Help us improve outcomes for justice-impacted individuals! The Restoring Rights and Opportunities Coalition of IL wants to learn about the resources people receive exiting prison. If you were incarcerated in IDOC, please complete our survey: bit.ly/GateMoneySurvey @cabrinigreenlegal.bsky.social

In which Cook County State's Attorney defends her decision to allow CPD to file felony gun charges in a few (85% Black) neighborhoods w/o review by attys in her office. Because it's faster + easier for police and prosecutors to just let the cops make legal decisions. news.wttw.com/2025/07/24/t...

We’re thrilled to share that CGLA’s very own Cynthia Cornelius will be honored this Friday by the Chicago Bar Foundation with this year’s Thomas H. Morsch Public Service Award—the premier recognition for long-time legal aid and public interest attorneys in our community! 🎉

Join us for the Day of Play and Legal Book Drive with Prison + Neighborhood Arts/Ed Project and other great orgs on July 26th! Logan prison currently has just a handful of books in their law library. Help us raise funds to purchase more. RSVP and/or donate givebutter.com/PNAPDayOfPlay

Look for us today at Pride South Side! DuSable Black History Museum 7/5/25 1:00-8:00pm

We honor the legacy of Marsha P. Johnson and many others by working for the liberation of LGBTQIA2S+ people. Let's stand up & fight back against policies that criminalize people especially at the intersection of race, ethnicity, gender identity, orientation, status and ability Artist: @sundayinbloom

BREAKING NEWS: Executive Director Aisha Edwards has been recognized as a Notable Leader in Philanthropy by @crainschicago.bsky.social!! Aisha's leadership is an inspiration to so many in our community and we're excited to see her recognized! www.chicagobusiness.com/Reprint-CB25... #crainsnotables

The FAIR Act has passed through both chambers of the state legislature! Illinois will launch a statewide office of public defense in 2027! This marks the first time Illinois has significantly updated its public defense structure since 1949. endmoneybond.org/2025/05/31/i...

Clean Slate has passed the House! With only a matter of hours left in the legislative session, we need everyone to contact your Illinois state senator and urge support of SB1784! #CleanSlateIL

Home for Good is Good for All. Contact your legislator today

The Pretrial Success program expands access to mental health & substance use disorder support, transportation, and child care for people awaiting trial. Budget cuts are putting these essential services in jeopardy, tell your legislators to protect them: actionnetwork.org/letters/tell...

The Felony Review Bypass Program poses serious risks to due process and it disproportionately harms Chicago’s Black and Brown communities. CGLA and 135 other signers call on State’s Attorney O’Neill Burke to immediately end the program and reinstate felony review in all gun possession cases.

Honored to be a part of the Chicago Gun Violence Prevention Conference June 7th. Register today!

CGLA’s Leadership Council was hosted tonight by the Chicago Torture Justice Center. What an honor, especially since May 6 is the 10 year anniversary of #ReparationsNow

1 in 3 adults has a criminal record. If this is you or someone you know come see us Saturday 4/26 at Apostolic Pentecostal Church in Morgan Park! Together with our partners ICJIA, LiveFreeIllinois, and Community Healing Resource Center

CGLA's mission is to remove barriers to equity at an individual and systemic level. This #SecondChanceMonth let us celebrate second chances and work together to create opportunity for those who were never given a fair chance to begin with.

The organizing team @cabrinigreenlegal.bsky.social is reading Let This Radicalize You together. A new organizer today shared that this book gave her the language for things she's always felt but didn't have the words to express. Thank you @prisonculture.bsky.social & @mskellymhayes.bsky.social 🙏

In 1973, Chuck Hogren co-founded a neighborhood legal clinic at the request of Cabrini-Green residents. In the midst of uncertain times, CGLA is staying grounded in beloved community, remembering what called us to this work, and making decisions that reflect a commitment to our values and our “why”

Today is International Transgender Day of Visibility. Far too many trans people are targeted by the carceral system and caught in its vicious conditions. buff.ly/pGvGsBG

Gun possession doesn't mean pulling the trigger. CGLA is "focused on the...impact of somebody having a record with an inaccurate offense title on it...landlords, on employers, on people seeking subsequent opportunities" - Emma Ruth, CGLA Policy Manager

Do you have a conviction or arrest record & live in Cook County? Please fill out this survey about your experiences finding & getting rental housing! rooseveltuniversity.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

My team and I had the best week in district, learning from best practices rooted in the district. Take a look at our Friday! 👩🏻‍⚖️ We visited the Avondale Restorative Justice Community Court and Judge Santiago to witness how the court resolves conflict through restorative conferences & peace circles.

Women’s incarceration has grown at 2x the pace of men’s incarceration in recent decades. Why? Frustratingly, the data needed to explain do not exist yet. Women can’t get left behind in the effort to end mass incarceration.

CGLA supports the FAIR Act and a strong system of public defense in Illinois

Join CGLAs Associate Board 5/1/25 at Facets Theater for Lights, Camera, Legal Aid! We’re screening Sing Sing, an Oscar-nominated film that highlights perseverance, human connection and the transformative power of art. Stay after the film for a meaningful panel discussion. Get your tickets today! 🎬✨

Wanna be part of something big? Join us as we build power to make change! Sign up today at www.cgla.net/takeaction Community With Purpose ✅ Training Up Leaders ✅ Creating Change Together ✅ Building Power ✅ Learning New Skills ✅