Selected Accomplishments
1980 - 1989

1980
The Council actively supports the Equal Rights Amendment.

1982
A committee appointed by Council President Gary T. Johnson proposes establishing a nonprofit Illinois Justice Foundation to be funded by interest from client trust accounts in order to fund legal services for the poor. The idea was embraced by the Illinois Supreme Court.

The Council begins its Illinois Legislative Project, a legislative lobbying effort advocating the rights of the poor in the Illinois legislature.

The Council sponsors Pro Bono Advocates which provides legal services to the poor using volunteer attorneys.

1983
The Council again receives the Harrison Tweed Award from the National Legal Aid and Defender Association and the American Bar Association for "advocating the rights of the poor in Illinois" through its Illinois Legislative Project.

1984
The Council and the Fund For Justice release their 200-page report on the Chicago Department of Law. The Department of Law implements nearly all of the 33 recommendations.

1985
The Council lobbies successfully for passage of House Bill No. 2475 which provides for a mail canvass of registered voters and voting by affidavit so that people who are improperly removed from the voting rolls will not be disen franchised. Governor Thompson vetoes the bill.

1987
Chief Judge Harry G. Comerford implements a Council proposal to establish an advisory panel to assist the Circuit Court in selecting the members of the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners.

The Council petitions the Illinois Supreme Court to adopt a set of Supreme Court Rules which would require the use of a merit selection system to fill judicial vacancies and appoint associate judges. The petition is denied.

The Council files an amicus curiae brief in the Illinois Supreme Court in disciplinary cases involving former Circuit Court Judges Reginald Holzer and Richard LeFevour. The Council urges the Court to impose strict sanctions against attorneys who corrupt the judicial system.

1988
The Council and the Fund For Justice release their 18-month study of the Cook County Public Defender's Office, which includes more than 30 recommendations.

The Council convenes a merit selection panel comprised of lawyers and non-lawyers to evaluate the candidates for the Illinois Supreme Court vacancy created when Justice Seymour Simon left the bench. Justice John Stamos, one of the candidates recommended by the Council's panel, fills the vacancy.

The Council, the Cook County Bar Association and the Latin American Bar Association request the Illinois Supreme Court to include Rule 6.1 of the American Bar Association's Model Rules of Professional Conduct in the Illinois Code of Professional Responsibility: "A lawyer should render public interest legal service..."

The Fund For Justice sponsors a seminar on using the Illinois Constitution to protect individual rights.

The Council releases its report on the Pro Se/Pro Bono Program of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

1989
The Illinois Supreme Court adopts the Council's position opposing mandatory continuing legal education (MCLE). The Council had asked the Court to defer action on the proposal to adopt MCLE because there was no evidence that it improves lawyer competency. The Council asks the Court to consider other options such as specialization and apprenticeships.