News You Can Use
Turning over a new leaf
Last week marked the end of two years of legalized cannabis use in Illinois, and as growers, distributors and dispensaries seek licenses and Illinoisans over the age of 21 ponder their options as consumers, a state-funded effort is afoot to reach out to those whose past cannabis convictions can now be expunged or vacated. CLICK HERE TO READ STORY
LETTER: Help veterans with legal issues
One of the military’s most famous mottos is ‘Leave no person behind.’ As we soon commemorate Veterans Day, it’s important to remember that when many service members return home, the reality is far different. Too many Illinois veterans are left to fend for themselves when dealing with serious legal problems CLICK HERE TO READ STORY
‘Leave no person behind’ – Southern Illinoisan Guest View column
One of the U.S. military’s most famous mottos is ‘Leave no person behind.’ As we get ready to commemorate Veterans Day, it’s important to remember that when many of our service members return home, the reality.... CLICK HERE TO READ STORY
LETTER: Program offers legal help to Illinois veterans
Editor, Register-Mail: One of the U.S. military’s most famous mottos is "Leave no person behind." As we get ready to commemorate Veterans Day, it’s important to remember that when many of our service members return home, the reality is far different. Too many Illinois veterans are left to fend for themselves when dealing with serious legal problems..... CLICK HERE TO READ STORY
Experts offer advice for cannabis record expungements
When Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation to legalize marijuana for recreational use in 2019, the bill allowed those with cannabis related convictions to expunge their records. "Expungement is a way to remove those records from public view so they're either no longer considered or minimized the impact for your future in any one of those scenarios, around education, housing, employment, and other life pursuits that someone might have," said Beth Johnson, the Project Manager at New Leaf Illinois. New Leaf Illinois is a network of nonprofits throughout the state,
State Partners With Legal Aid Network To Expunge Cannabis-Related Records
An estimated 34,000 Illinoisans are still waiting to have their cannabis records expunged, according to the Sentencing Policy Advisory Council. This is after more than two years since Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill legalizing the recreational use of marijuana in Illinois. Part of that law created a pathway to clearing a person’s cannabis record. Brandon Williams, supervising attorney at Cabrini Green Legal Aid, is part of the New Leaf Illinois statewide network helping to review cannabis-related offenses. CLICK HERE TO READ STORY
New Leaf Illinois Leads Advocates, Legal Aid Clinics in Mid-Summer Push to Expunge Cannabis Convictions
Illinois’ eviction ban ends in August. Here’s what happens next for tenants with unpaid rent.
Thousands of tenants across the state are at risk of losing their homes after Illinois lifts its eviction ban Aug. 1. In preparation for a wave of eviction filings that will flood the courts with as many as 33,000 cases, the Illinois Supreme Court ordered a monthlong “triage” period. Until Sept. 1, judges will refer tenants and landlords to eviction prevention programs, and no judgments will be made against tenants previously protected by the moratorium. CLICK HERE TO READ STORY ON INJUSTICE WATCH WITH QUOTES FROM IEJF
Voice of the Reader: Evicted? We can help.
To the Editor: Many people in southern Illinois are still struggling to make ends meet and either can’t pay their rent, or are months behind on payments. With Illinois’ eviction ban expiring soon, we must do everything we can to help keep people in their homes. That’s because eviction is more than just a single, negative event in someone’s life. It causes a ripple effect of devastating consequences for both families and communities. People often lose everything – from their possessions, to their jobs, to their support systems. CLICK HERE
Growing for Good with Green Thumb – Featuring Beth Johnson
New Leaf Illinois: The state-funded first step toward free expungement and sealing services Featuring Beth Johnson, partner at Rights & Restoration Law Group. Click here to read Chicago Reader story