Public Affairs Government Outreach

Foley attorneys also use their public affairs government outreach expertise to effect change on issues impacting racially diverse individuals. One such example is House Bill 3653 (“Illinois Criminal Justice and Police Reform Bill”).  This bill (now law) was authored by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus with the aid of several Foley attorneys, including State Senator Elgie Simms.  The law provides necessary and meaningful changes to police training policies, police accountability, transparency in law enforcement and the rights of detainees and prisoners, including the elimination of cash bail bonds in Illinois. Additionally, State Senator Simms received the 2021 National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers- Champion of State Criminal Justice Reform Award recognizing an individual or group whose exceptional efforts have led toward progressive reform of a state criminal justice system.