Refer to communication from organizers for start and end times (1-5PM tentative)

• NACo CORE Justice (offsite)
• Medicaid Reentry Waiver

• 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. // IMPACT Network
• 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. // NACo CORE Network Peer Exchange
• 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. // Medicaid Reentry Waivers
• 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. // Wichoyanke Network
• 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. // Just Home Network

• Bria Gillum // Senior Program Officer, Criminal Justice, MacArthur Foundation

  Bria works with the Criminal Justice team and is focused on improving local justice systems and developing alternatives to jail incarceration. Bria joined the Foundation after serving as a Senior Attorney Advisor for the Office of Legal Counsel at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. As a legal and policy advisor to the Chair and the Commissioners, Bria was responsible for developing policy initiatives focused on equal pay and religious discrimination and conducted outreach on Equal Employment Opportunity laws. She previously served in President Barack Obama's White House Domestic Policy Council and helped implement the Administration's policies on criminal justice reform, equal pay, and Native American affairs. She leveraged her law and social policy expertise to coordinate with federal agencies, academics, and the private and philanthropic sectors on some of the Administration's key civil rights initiatives, including convenings on reentry and employment and school discipline, organizing the White House Tribal Nations Conference, and administering executive actions on equal pay. Prior to the Obama Administration, Bria served as a law clerk to Judge Eric L. Clay of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Bria received a Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University, a Master in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School, where she served as Editor-in-Chief for the Harvard Journal of African American Public Policy, and JD from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law.

Toni Preckwinkle is the 35th president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, making history as the first Black woman to hold this office. Since 2010, she has focused on transforming County government through fiscal responsibility, transparency, and improved services. With over 30 years of political experience, she has resolved over $2.87 billion in budget deficits and made supplemental pension payments of almost $2 billion since 2016, significantly reducing the county’s unfunded pension liabilities. As president, Preckwinkle oversees one of the nation’s largest public health systems and criminal justice systems. Under her leadership, Cook County established CountyCare, a managed care program for Medicaid-eligible residents, providing quality care to over 500,000 individuals. She has also been a strong advocate for criminal justice reform, addressing mental health and substance abuse issues as public health concerns and working to reduce the population of the Cook County Jail and Juvenile Temporary Detention Center while ensuring fair and equitable access to justice. Preckwinkle has also focused on promoting equitable economic growth, creating the Bureau of Economic Development in 2011 to foster community development throughout the County. Racial equity has been a central principle of her leadership, guiding the creation of the Cook County Policy Roadmap in 2018. Before becoming Board President, she served as Alderman of the 4th Ward for 19 years, leading the redevelopment of key neighborhoods and advocating for affordable housing. Preckwinkle holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Chicago and is the proud mother of two and grandmother of three.

Andrea Armstrong is the Dr. Norman C. Francis Distinguished Professor of Law at Loyola University New Orleans, College of Law and a 2023 MacArthur Fellow. She is an expert in incarceration law and policy, bringing much-needed transparency to incarceration practices in the United States. She integrates law, history, public health, and the arts in her efforts to educate broad audiences about the human costs of incarceration. Prof. Armstrong teaches in the related fields of constitutional law, criminal law and procedure, law and poverty, and race and the law. Prof. Armstrong founded IncarcerationTransparency.org, a database and website that documents and memorializes individual deaths behind bars in Louisiana and supports documentation efforts in South Carolina and Alabama. Her research has been profiled by New Yorker Magazine, cited by the New York Times, the Atlantic, the Guardian, and National Public Radio, among others, and published by leading civil rights and policy law journals including the Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review and Stanford Law & Policy Review, and University of California-Irvine. Professor Armstrong is a graduate of Yale Law School (JD), the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs (MPA), and New York University (BA). She is certified by the U.S. Department of Justice as a Prison Rape Elimination Act auditor.

This plenary will explore the intersection of disability and criminal justice. People with disabilities are overrepresented at all stages of the criminal justice system, lack the necessary care, accommodations, and services when incarcerated in jail, and are also more likely to experience victimization. We also know that there is a growing disparity where people of color with a disability are overrepresented in local justice systems. The panel will discuss what we know about this intersection and highlight some of the challenges within the disability justice movement, provide guidance on how the SJC Network and the public can provide better support and resources at this intersection, and identify promising practices and models that can be replicated in other communities.

Moderator:

• Yosef Moore // Diversion and Reentry Policy Analyst, Access Living

Panelists:

• Nancy Smith // Executive Director, Activating Change
• Jordyn Jensen // Executive Director, Center for Racial and Disability Justice, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
• Candace Coleman // Community Strategy Specialist, Access Living
• Megan Schuller // Legal Director, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law

• Networking Breakfast with BRG Senior Fellows and People with Lived Experience of Incarceration (Chicago Ballroom 8)
• California Network (Chicago Ballroom 9)
• Louisiana Network (Chicago Ballroom 10)

• Bria Gillum and the MacArthur Criminal Justice Team

Illinois’ SAFE-T Act represents one of the most significant criminal justice reforms in the state’s history, reshaping policies on pretrial detention, policing, and accountability. As the legislation continues to unfold, questions remain about its long-term impact on public safety, racial equity, and the justice system. In this session, The Atlantic brings together key voices from law enforcement, policy, and advocacy to examine the successes, challenges, and future of criminal justice reform in Illinois. How has the elimination of cash bail affected communities? What lessons can be drawn from its implementation? And what does Illinois’ approach signal for the national reform movement? Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on the evolving landscape of justice and public safety.

Moderator:

• Vann Newkirk II // Senior Editor, The Atlantic

Panelists:

• Esther Franco Payne // Executive Director, Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities
• Shareese Pryor // First Assistant Deputy Governor for Public Safety, Infrastructure, Environment, and Energy, Office of the Illinois Governor
• Jahmal Cole // Founder & CEO, My Block My Hood My City
• Eric Rinehart // State’s Attorney, Lake County, Illinois

The 2024 election brought a significant political shift, with the GOP taking control federally and voters reflecting a broader red trend nationwide. Republicans also made modest gains in state and local elections, though the overall landscape remains nuanced. These changes raise key questions about the future of criminal justice policies and initiatives. This session will provide strategies to successfully navigate the current political climate and sustain progress. Learn how to reframe narratives, engage skeptical policymakers, and leverage your local SJC efforts to keep momentum strong.

Presenters:

• Amber Widgery // Principal, Criminal and Civil Justice Program, National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)
• Tony McCright // Interim Program Director, National League of Cities (NLC)
• Kristy Danford // Founder & CEO, KPD Technical Assistance
• Chris Csonka // Executive Director East Baton Rouge Parish Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC)
• Lisel Petis // Director, Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties, R Street Institute

The success of alternatives to arrest programs can be greatly enhanced through effective engagement of first responders. Police are in a unique position to refer individuals to treatment and services or arrest them, and due to this, obtaining officer support is critical to the implementation and sustainability of alternatives to arrest programs. Presenters will share evidence-based messaging, communication, and training strategies to encourage officer buy-in, and discuss how “meeting people where they are” applies to both first responders and individuals with which they hope to engage.

Presenters:

• Kelly Burke // Senior Program Manager, International Associate of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
• Matthew Brady // Lieutenant, Tucson Police Department
• John Patterson // Interim Chief of Police, Madison Police Department

This workshop features four public defender-led programs across SJC sites aiming to improve initial appearance release outcomes through various and new innovative strategies. The workshop will offer why these strategies are needed, detail the challenges and facilitators to implementing these programs, and offer outcome results of the various programs. The workshop will end with a facilitated discussion among panelists unpacking the need for scaling these strategies and detailing how the strategies center the humanity of individuals navigating the criminal legal system.

Moderator:

• Shannon Magnuson // Director of Influence and Storytelling, Justice System Partners (JSP)

Presenters:

• Grant Hartley // Director, Metropolitan Public Defenders (MPD), Multnomah County, Oregon
• Sean McNulty // Chief Public Defender, Toledo Legal Aid Society, Lucas County, OH
• Beth Huebner // St. Louis County, MO
• Tanya Mera // Deputy Director, Jail Health Services, San Francisco City/County, CA

This workshop will explore strategies for building and sustaining grassroots power in challenging political landscapes. Using Oklahoma as a case study, panelists will share insights on mobilizing impacted communities, leveraging local resources, and building coalitions to advance justice reform initiatives. Participants will leave with actionable steps to replicate these approaches in their own communities.

Moderator:

• Jay Jordan // Vice President of Community Engagement, REFORM Alliance

Panelists:

• Dr. Tiffany T. Crutcher // Executive Director, Terence Crutcher Foundation
• Sheyda Brown // Deputy Director, Terrence Crutcher Foundation
• Kenneth "K.Roc" Brant // Field Organizer, Terence Crutcher Foundation
• Sam Robson // Field Organizer, Terence Crutcher Foundation

This session focuses on probation issues that affect jail populations. Participants will hear from probation departments in Brazoria County, TX and Palm Beach County, FL on their novel solutions. Palm Beach developed a mobile probation unit to reduce violations, increase employment, address transportation challenges, and improve officer-client relationships. Brazoria is addressing new offenses in a different way to minimize revocations and warrants. They are partnering with the DA, Sheriff, and judges to hold special dockets to process cases faster and are conducting revocation-only dockets.

Presenters:

• Angelique J. Pickett // Executive Director, Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission
• Rosalind L. Murray // Community Engagement Coordinator, Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission
• Margo R. Smith // SJC Coordinator, Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission
• Karla Kutch // Deputy Director, Brazoria County Community Supervision and Corrections Department
• Cara Drenner // Deputy Director, Brazoria County Community Supervision and Corrections Department
• Walter Campbell // Senior Research Associate, Justice & Safety Division, Urban Institute
• Mary Hayford // Policy Assistant, Justice & Safety Division, Urban Institute
• Evelyn F. McCoy // Principal Research Associate, Justice & Safety Division, Urban Institute
• Ammar Khalid // Senior Policy Associate, Justice & Safety Division, Urban Institute

Despite decades of reform, racial disparities in the criminal legal system persist or have worsened. The "tough on crime" policies from the 1990s have resurged, threatening past progress. In this interactive workshop, participants will explore an innovative, restorative justice-based approach to advancing racial equity in the legal system grounded in a social/ historical analysis. Together, we will build a Brave Community, examine the social, historical, and political legacies of the criminal legal system, and learn about one jurisdiction's process of applying this methodology in their work with an eye towards sustainability.

Presenters:

• Ayanna Lyons // Racial Equity Strategist, Office of Criminal Justice, City of Philadelphia
• Michelle Simmons // Founder & CEO, Why not Prosper, Inc.
• Alex Frank // Director, Root Solutions for Public Safety, Race Forward

Learn how community voices drive justice reform. Experience the Fellowship model, where people with lived experience of incarceration lead change and influence systems change. This workshop offers insights from BRG Senior Fellows and Multnomah County Justice Fellows, demonstrating how to build effective community partnerships and implement tangible justice reforms.

Presenters:

• Enrique Rivera // Project Coordinator, Justice Fellowship Program, Multnomah County, OR
• Hollie Spriggs // Alumni, Justice Fellow Program, Multnomah County, OR
• Brightstar Ohlson // Founder & CEO, Bright Research Group
• Aminah Elster // Consultant, Bright Research Group
• Philip Jones // Senior Fellow, Bright Research Group
• Lisa Wood // Senior Fellow, Bright Research Group

Research shows that the majority of people who are arrested, incarcerated, and on community supervision have at least one disability, including invisible disabilities. In this session, Activating Change will describe how, step-by-step, criminal legal agencies and service providers can ensure that clients with disabilities get the accommodations they need – and are mandated by the ADA - to equitably participate and succeed. We will cover what to ask, how to ask, and common accommodations and modifications for court-involved clients, weaving in opportunity for discussion and questions.

Presenters:

• Tina Brown // Managing Director, Activating Change
• Kaitlin Kall // Project Director, Activating Change

An essential takeaway from the decade of SJC has been the shift from criminal justice reform rhetoric merely recognizing impacted communities’ value to concrete action and change that actively centers their voices and needs. Featuring experts in public defense, research, and community advocacy, with special focus on Cook County, this discussion will delve into examples of community-engaged public defense practice and research, ways that communities have gained more agency in criminal legal system reform, and lessons for community engagement across the SJC network and beyond.

Moderator:

• Michael Mrozinski // Chief, Community-Focused Initiatives & Policy, National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA)

Panelists:

• Dr. Patricia Foxen // Director of Community Research, National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA)
• Alexandria Santistevan // Director of Community Engagement, Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender

Women of color from across the country, who are at the forefront of criminal justice reform, are often underrepresented in the legal profession and in criminal legal system leadership roles and face distinct challenges and barriers. Their critical contributions to meaningful and sustainable system change frequently go unnoticed. This panel, featuring a prosecutor, a defender, and a change leader who has been directly impacted, will delve into these challenges, emphasizing the need for greater support and ongoing efforts to recruit and retain diverse leaders and drive lasting reform.

*California MCLE: This activity is approved for 1 hour of MCLE credit by the State Bar of California. Participants from other states are welcome to submit independently to their licensing body for continuing education credit. Certificates of attendance will be sent out to attendees post-event that will list the number of CLE hours earned.

Moderators:

• Alaina Bloodworth // Executive Director, Black Public Defender Association (BPDA)
• Marlene Biener // Chief Operating Officer, Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (APA)

Panelists:

• Angela Kilpatrick // Chief, Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender
• Hon. Darcel Clark // District Attorney, Bronx County, NY
• Robyn Hasan-Simpson // Executive Director, Women on the Rise

County leaders and community members have made significant progress in reducing inequalities in criminal justice and behavioral health systems. Recently, counties are facing challenges in maintaining and advancing these efforts. This panel workshop will feature representatives from four counties that are at different stages of their work to uphold justice and fairness across multiple systems. Panelists will discuss their current focus areas and provide strategies for how counties can maintain momentum for justice initiatives. Workshop participants will also be asked to share updates on their counties’ efforts in this space.

Presenters:

• Colleen Clark-Bernhardt // Director, Office of Justice Reform, Dane County, WI
• Erica Crawley // Commissioner, Franklin County, OH
• Orleny Rojas // Senior Manager, Center for Effective Public Policy (CEPP)
• Chandra Tyler // Equity and Inclusion Consultant, Research and Planning Unit, Mecklenburg County Criminal Justice Services
• Dr. Stephen Strzelecki // Clinical Director, Forensic Evaluations Unit, Mecklenburg County Criminal Justice Services

This workshop will critically examine the use of bench warrants for failure-to-appear in court, highlighting their limitations and harmful consequences. Participants will explore evidence-based and community-driven alternatives that improve court appearances without criminalizing missed appearances. Through interactive discussion and real-world examples, attendees will gain actionable insights to challenge inequitable practices and drive meaningful reform.

Presenters:

• Elizabeth Trosch // Judge, Mecklenburg County, NC
• Elaine Borakove // President, Justice Management Institute (JMI)
• Eric Rinehart // State's Attorney, Lake County, IL
• Mano Raju // Elected Public Defender, San Franciso, CA

Public safety in tribal communities remains a critical concern due to jurisdictional complexities, underfunded justice systems, and gaps in federal and state responses to crime. Many tribal nations struggle with high rates of violent crime, substance use disorders, and systemic barriers to justice, exacerbated by the chronic underfunding of tribal law enforcement, courts, and victim services. The lack of tribal representation in legal and judicial roles further hinders efforts to create culturally relevant justice solutions. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that builds capacity within tribal justice systems and ensures adequate legal representation for Native people. This panel will explore these critical issues and highlight innovative solutions that are emerging within tribal justice systems to enhance public safety, reduce recidivism, and address the MMIW crisis.

This presentation will first provide information about Tribal Holistic Justice, Wrap-Around Services, and Reentry Practices -- in order to reduce recidivism and create pathways to success for justice-involved individuals, tribal justice systems must move beyond punitive approaches and integrate holistic defense models and wrap-around services. It will also discuss Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW): Law Enforcement and Federal Prosecution Gaps, because the MMIW crisis is one of the most pressing public safety issues in Indian Country, rooted in gaps in jurisdictional authority, underreporting, and failures in federal prosecution. Despite legislative efforts such as the Savanna’s Act and the Not Invisible Act, systemic challenges remain in ensuring that tribal nations have the resources and authority to investigate and prosecute violent crimes against Indigenous women and girls. Lastly, we will discuss Empowering Tribal Advocates, Law Students, and Judges. The American Indian Law Center, NAICJA, and ASU Indian Legal Program’s collaborative project, funded by the MacArthur Foundation Public Safety and Justice Initiative, directly addresses these challenges by educating tribal advocates, law students, and judges to fill critical gaps in legal representation and judicial diversity.

Presenters:

• Nikki Borchardt Campbell // Executive Director, National American Indian Court Judges Association (NAICJA)
• Kate Rosier // Executive Director, Indian Legal Program, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University
• Rodina Parnall // Executive Director, American Indian Law Center, Inc.
• Myka Curtis // Law Student, University of New Mexico

Panelists will discuss how Safety and Justice Challenge grantees and others involved in broader criminal justice efforts can navigate the current changes in federal funding and shifts in the field as well as share their visions for the future of criminal just reform.

Moderator:

• John Palfrey // President, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

Panelists:

• Nicholas Turner // President, Vera Institute
• Kathryn Bocanegra // Assistant Professor, Jane Addams College of Social Work, University of Chicago
• Lisel Petis // Director, Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties, R Street Institute

• Probation Network (Chicago Ballroom 8)
• JSP Data Learning Collaborative (invite only) (Chicago Ballroom 9)
• Pennsylvania Network (Chicago Ballroom 10)

People with mental illness, substance use, brain injury, and other complex needs are incarcerated at higher rates and in many SJC sites, these disparities persist despite overall jail reduction. This session will highlight SJC sites’ behavioral health strategies, challenges, and successes in safely reducing over-incarceration, with special attention to strategies that are replicable and sustainable. PRI will present a range of cross-intercept best and promising practices, as well as tangible takeaways and guidance around moving from program-specific diversion to systems-level transformation.

Presenters:

• Travis Parker // Vice President, Policy Research, Inc. (PRI)
• Lisa Maye // Senior Project Associate, Policy Research, Inc. (PRI)
• Ashley Krider // Senior Project Associate, Policy Research, Inc. (PRI)
• Erin Srstka // Director, Center for Rural Health Improvement, Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota
• Stephen C. Strzelecki // Clinical Director, Forensic Evaluations Unit, Mecklenburg County Criminal Justice Services
• Chris Peters // Behavioral Health Diversion Clinician, Forensic Evaluations Unit, Mecklenburg County Criminal Justice Services

This workshop highlights how courts can partner with community providers to expand resources without increasing their budgets. By fostering these relationships, courts can reframe their role as a community hub, enhance public safety, and reduce recidivism. It will also explore successful programs at Missoula Municipal Court, including the evidence-based pretrial support program (PASS), and highlight collaborative efforts with the Missoula Public Library that have led to impactful, ongoing initiatives like Resource Access Day (RAD) and Shelter Court.

Presenters:

• Stephen Thompson // Court Programs Administrator, Missoula Municipal Court
• Melissa Vawter // Program Manager, Pretrial Assistance to Support Success (PASS) Program, Missoula County, MT
• Selya Avila // Community Engagement Specialist, Missoula Public Library
• Jacob Coolidge // Judge, Missoula Municipal Court

Join the National League of Cities in a dialogue on strategies to support the public safety and justice workforce. This session will feature a panel discussion on the unique challenges faced by workers in the public safety and justice workforce and by cities working to recruit and retain strong talent. Participants will hear how city administrations have reduced barriers to employment for impacted people while increasing community safety.

Presenters:

• Mariela Ruiz-Angel // Director, Alternative Response Initiatives, Georgetown Center for Innovations in Community Safety
• Rachael Eisenberg // Managing Director, Rights and Justice, Center for American Progress
• Tony McCright, Jr. // Interim Program Director, Justice Initiatives Team, National League of Cities (NLC)
• Wil Pinkney // Executive Director, Jail Closure Implementation Team (JCIT), Los Angeles County, CA
• Ronald Simpson-Bey // Executive Vice President, JustLeadership USA

This panel equips (justice-impacted) nonprofit leaders with strategies to enhance fundraising capacity and sustain their mission. Featuring formerly incarcerated experts with philanthropic experience, it explores building funder relationships, aligning fundraising with values, and overcoming challenges unique to justice-impacted leaders. Attendees will gain actionable insights and tools to create sustainable funding models and drive long-term organizational impact.

Presenters:

• Alex Frank // Director, Root Solutions for Public Safety, Race Forward
• Ashley Goldon // Founder, Impact(FUL) Consulting
• John Bae // Initiative Director, Vera Institute
• Quintin Williams // Senior Program Office, Gun Violence Prevention and Justice Reform, Joyce Foundation

Holistic Justice seeks to address the root causes and broader impacts of harm. The Pima County Attorney’s Office implements this approach through two alternative-to-prosecution programs:Consolidated Misdemeanor Problem Solving (CMPS) Court provides participants with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders who have had a significant number of contacts with law enforcement to achieve recovery, reduce recidivism, restore relationships, obtain housing and income stability, and successfully reintegrate into the community. The Restorative Justice Program (RJP) seeks similar goals for offenders of eligible felony property crimes. Using restorative circles, the program centers the victim's needs while providing a space for them to be active participants in how justice is realized. The process prioritizes the healing of all parties involved- victims, responsible parties, and the community. Lake County State's Attorney's Office will provide an overview of its Gun Violence Prevention Initiative (GVPI) and how this program is leading to a reduction of violent crime in the most impacted communities of Lake County and preventing further increases in the jail population. This workshop will explore how to start an office of violence prevention or community violence intervention work in your community, services that can be provided through these programs, and data supporting the diversion/deflection and prevention that occurs through this model.

Presenters:

• Emmanuelle Fahey // Restorative Justice Coordinator, Pima County Attorney’s Office
• Nahrin Jabro // Director of Specialty Courts, Pima County Attorney’s Office
• Eric Rinehart // State’s Attorney, Lake County State’s Attorney Office (LCSAO)
• Tierra Lemon // Director, Gun Violence Prevention Initiative, Lake County State’s Attorney Office (LCSAO)
• Steven Spagnolo // Chief, Government Relations, Lake County State’s Attorney Office (LCSAO)
• Shawn Lewis // Program Manager, Lake County Peacemakers

This workshop will present an affirmative vision for corrections reform via concrete efforts nationwide that reduce incarceration, improve conditions of confinement, and build public safety. BCJ will introduce its latest initiative exploring the landscape of corrections reforms. Featured presenters are top corrections leaders and TA providers working inside jails and prisons. The discussion centers key initiatives to transform systems, including approaches to address staff and resident health, and trauma-informed and restorative justice models.

Presenters:

• Lauren-Brooke Eisen // Senior Director, Justice Program, Brennan Center for Justice
• Dr. Nneka Tapia Jones // Managing Director of Justice Initiatives, Chicago Beyond
• Chloe Aquart // Initiative Director, Restoring Promise, Vera Institute of Justice
• Lacie Zander // Unit Manager, North Dakota State Penitentiary

Involvement in the Safety and Justice Challenge (SJC) has had a significant impact on criminal justice systems, decreasing jail utilization, making system processes more fair and efficient, and enhancing collaboration. Cook County began their SJC work in 2015 with very little collaboration or shared vision for partnership between the criminal justice system officials. Ten years later, the same stakeholders collaboratively and successfully implemented the largest criminal justice reform Illinois has ever seen and abolished money bond. Similarly, Philadelphia has experienced significant increases in collaboration and successful reform efforts since joining the initiative. Join these two counties as they discuss the pivotal moments of change that led to these improvements, how they were led, and how they plan to sustain the changes.

Presenters:

• Sharone Mitchell, Jr. // Public Defender, Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender
• Tom Lyons // Director of Research, Probation and Pretrial Operations, Circuit Court of Cook County
• Kurt August // Director, Office of Criminal Justice, City of Philadelphia
• Alyssa Balletta // Director, Department of Research and Development, First Judicial District of Pennsylvania
• Avik Das // Executive Director, Cook County Justice Advisory Council

During this time, invited guests will participate in private roundtable discussions, while all other attendees are welcome to enjoy open networking.

• Session A - Project Directors (Michigan)
• Session B - Prosecutors (Gold Coast)
• Session C - Data Analysts (Superior)
• Session D - Law Enforcement & Jail Administration (Chicago 10)
• Session E - Public Defenders (Colorado)
• Session F - Judges & Court Administration (Columbus)
• Session G - Elected Officials (Missouri)
• Session H - Community Members/Advocates/Peer Navigators (Mississippi)
• Session I - Behavioral Health (Chicago 8)
• Session J - Community Supervision (Chicago 9)

The population of women in jails and prisons continues to rise nationally, yet their unique experiences with incarceration are often overlooked. Many jurisdictions struggle to implement gender-responsive strategies that address the complex and systemic issues women face in the criminal legal system. We need solutions that elevate the voice and leadership of impacted women, provide trust-based support to organizations with deep roots in community, and demonstrate strong government stakeholder commitment.

This panel explores the collaborative public-private partnerships and innovative efforts happening in the State of Illinois to improve the experience of all women impacted by the criminal justice system. Top government, non-profit, and impacted women leaders from Illinois will discuss how bail reform, defense mitigation and sentencing changes, and expanding pretrial and reentry efforts are reshaping the footprint of the system in the state. The panel will also specifically discuss work of the Justice, Equity and Opportunity Initiative (JEO) and Dignity of Choice pilot program led by the offices of the Lieutenant Governor and First Lady of Illinois.

Moderator:

• NeAngela Dixon // Senior Program Officer, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

Panelists:

• The Honorable Juliana Stratton // Lieutenant Governor of Illinois
• MK Pritzker // First Lady of Illinois
• Willette Benford // Senior Advisor, Office of MK Pritzker
• Dr. Kathleen St. Louis Caliento // President & CEO, Cara Collective

• Bria Gillum // Senior Program Officer, Criminal Justice, MacArthur Foundation

  Bria works with the Criminal Justice team and is focused on improving local justice systems and developing alternatives to jail incarceration. Bria joined the Foundation after serving as a Senior Attorney Advisor for the Office of Legal Counsel at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. As a legal and policy advisor to the Chair and the Commissioners, Bria was responsible for developing policy initiatives focused on equal pay and religious discrimination and conducted outreach on Equal Employment Opportunity laws. She previously served in President Barack Obama's White House Domestic Policy Council and helped implement the Administration's policies on criminal justice reform, equal pay, and Native American affairs. She leveraged her law and social policy expertise to coordinate with federal agencies, academics, and the private and philanthropic sectors on some of the Administration's key civil rights initiatives, including convenings on reentry and employment and school discipline, organizing the White House Tribal Nations Conference, and administering executive actions on equal pay. Prior to the Obama Administration, Bria served as a law clerk to Judge Eric L. Clay of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Bria received a Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University, a Master in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School, where she served as Editor-in-Chief for the Harvard Journal of African American Public Policy, and JD from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law.