Press Release

Dinsmore attorney Michael Connelly has been appointed to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Pretrial Practices, which seeks to provide guidance and recommendations regarding pretrial reform in the Illinois criminal justice system.
The commission is made up of 25 members including one legislator from each Illinois legislative caucus, judges, members of law enforcement, and representatives of the Department of Corrections. Connelly is the Assistant Republican Leader in the Illinois Senate. He previously served as an assistant state's attorney in Cook County and as a law clerk to Justice Allan Stouder of the Illinois Appellate Court.
“I’ve spent most of my career practicing law, therefore, it’s an honor to serve on this commission with some of the best in the field,” said Connelly. “I am excited to get to work on finding ways to improve the pretrial system to ensure that it’s cost effective, fair, and transparent.”
The Illinois Supreme Court launched the commission to conduct a comprehensive review of Illinois' pretrial detention system and provide guidance and recommendations for change. The commission was formed to gain an understanding of where the greatest problems lie; how the problems vary by jurisdiction; and how laws, regulations, and rules can be changed to ensure pretrial services are fair, efficient, transparent, accountable, and adequately resourced.