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PRESS RELEASE
For more information, please contact: Gwen Osborne, director of public affairs, (312) 906-5251
Governor Quinn appoints David A. Erickson to conduct a
comprehensive review of the Meritorious Good Time Program
CHICAGO–December 21 , 2009--David A. Erickson, associate director of the Trial Advocacy Program, director of the program in Criminal Litigation and a senior instructor at Chicago-Kent College of Law, has been appointed by Governor Pat Quinn to lead a comprehensive review of the Illinois Department of Corrections' Meritorious Good Time Program. Under Illinois law, inmates may be released early by earning credit for good behavior from the Department of Corrections. On December 14, the governor suspended the program pending "a top-to-bottom review" after concerns about the program were reported.
Announcing Erickson's appointment, Governor Quinn said, "Judge Erickson is a noted criminal law professor, an ex-judge and a former prosecutor. His real-world experience and deep understanding of the criminal justice system prepares him for this very important task. On behalf of the people of Illinois, I thank him for taking on this vital mission."
Erickson, who will continue his duties at Chicago-Kent, will serve as an unpaid adviser to the governor and head a team that includes the governor's chief of staff and general counsel. The team is charged with reviewing every aspect of the program, creating policies and procedures that will ensure public safety and maintain the integrity of the criminal justice system and the courts' sentencing of offenders, and issuing a report to the governor.
Erickson has a distinguished career as a prosecutor, felony court judge, appellate court justice, and supervising judge. He earned his undergraduate degree from Northern Illinois University and his J.D. from John Marshall Law School.
At Chicago-Kent, Erickson teaches evidence, criminal procedure and trial advocacy courses. He also developed the curriculum for Chicago-Kent's certificate program in criminal litigation and directs a program aimed at preparing legal professionals and law students in Mexico for dramatic changes in that country's legal system. Erickson has coached several Chicago-Kent trial advocacy teams that have won numerous individual student honors and regional and national competitions, including the 1988, 2007 and 2008 National Trial Competition championships.
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