All Week Long
Cook County commissioners, public defenders, and activists gathered on Wednesday, calling the federal immigration tactics horrifying and devastating. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle addressed the community impact of the arrests and called them "unacceptable."
Watch Video
Cook County leaders are denouncing the presence of ICE agents in the Chicago area.
Some board members are now proposing a resolution to counter federal agents’ presence.
A press conference was held at 9 a.m. at the Cook County Administration Building. This comes a day after immigration raids in Elgin and Chicago.
Leaders are calling for a congressional oversight. They say agents are not providing any transparency or identification when showing up at public spaces.
“Unmarked cars and the refusal to provide idenfication are not hallmarks of transparency or accountability. Instead they raise the risk of abuse, intimidation and impersonation. This is unacceptable,” said Cook County Commissioner President Toni Preckwinkle.
Originally published by Vi Nguyen via NBC Chicago | September 19, 2025
The Cook County Public Defender’s Office has opened a community office in Austin, offering legal support, pretrial resources and even art programs.
The Freedom Defense Center of Austin opened Monday inside Austin’s Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation, 5500 W. Madison St. The new office — the agency’s second in the county — provides access to legal counsel, case management, community education and referral services — all with an eye toward removing barriers to justice, officials said.
On the occasion of the two-year anniversary of Illinois' groundbreaking decision to abolish the money bond system, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has reaffirmed her commitment to a fairer legal framework.
Preckwinkle stated, "We replaced a flawed and unjust system with a thoughtfully designed pretrial system that is more fair, safe and effective."
Reflecting on the achievements since the implementation of the Pretrial Fairness Act, it's evident that the legal landscape has been reshaped. The act was not merely symbolic; it has led to tangible reductions in crime rates.
Originally published by Michael Liptrot via Block Club Chicago | September 17, 2025
The Cook County Public Defender’s Office has opened a community office in Austin, offering legal support, pretrial resources and even art programs.
The Freedom Defense Center of Austin opened Monday inside Austin’s Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation, 5500 W. Madison St. The new office — the agency’s second in the county — provides access to legal counsel, case management, community education and referral services — all with an eye toward removing barriers to justice, officials said.
Paid for by Preckwinkle for President. A copy of our report filed with the State Board of Elections is (or will be) available on the Board's official website, http://elections.il.gov/, or for purchase from the State Board of Elections, Springfield, Illinois. All contributions are reported to the State Board of Elections. Contributions are not accepted from employees of Cook County. Companies holding contracts with the Cook County are limited to $750.
Political contributions are not deductible for income tax purposes.