As CRS calls on transparent conversations about the Chicago Police Department’s use of excessive force in relationship to Black, Brown, and Indigenous people of our Beloved city, we share a list of traffic stop resources in partnership with the ACLU of Illinois.

Fair Housing Month is observed annually in April to commemorate the passing of the Fair Housing Act in 1968, which prohibits discrimination in housing. CRS fights for fair and equitable housing opportunities through advocacy, education, and resources. Discrimination and inequality still exist in housing, and the fight for fair housing continues.

Newly arrived migrants in Chicago are in need of basic necessities. Check out our list of recommended actions from organizations, community groups and legislators in Chicago offering aid.

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Click here to take a look at profiles of figures in Asian American history.

We had Chicago Community Conversations in January and March, but the discussions don’t end there. Watch as our staff continues the conversation in our second part of this series.

Fair Housing Month is observed annually in April to commemorate the passing of the Fair Housing Act in 1968, which prohibits discrimination in housing. CRS fights for fair and equitable housing opportunities through advocacy, education, and resources. Discrimination and inequality still exist in housing, and the fight for fair housing continues.

April is Second Chance Month. Learn more about how this initiative gives hope to those re-entering society from the criminal justice system.

Quintin Williams shares his research on HB 3142 and calls for support to "Ban the Box" in higher education.

Calling all Faith in Action advocates!  We are midway through the 2017 spring legislative session and your voice is needed to bring justice to Springfield. 

Illinois senators will soon vote on a bill that would enhance Illinois’ already harsh sentencing policies but not reduce violence. This proposal is a continuation of harmful public policies that studies have shown are ineffective.

Support a bill which would increase employment, housing and educational opportunities for millions of Illinois residents with criminal records.

The Illinois General Assembly will convene for the “Lame Duck” session on Monday, January 9, 2017. Take action now and send an email to your state representatives to oppose legislation that will increase sentences for second time gun possession but not make our communities safer.

As of January 1, 2017 four new laws in Illinois are opening doors for people with past felony convictions to work in Illinois schools, park districts and health care facilities. Take action now and help to spread the word about these new employment laws.

CRS member churches came together to affirm our priorities for the “Platform for Renewal 2016-17,” present our annual congregational and partner awards, celebrate campaign victories, celebrate board members whose terms have ended, elect new board members and dialogue about our strategic vision. Father Larry Dowling of St. Agatha Catholic Church and Jaquie Algee of Trinity UCC co-chaired the assembly.

On July 29th Governor Rauner signed HB 4360 into law! Urge the Governor to sign the remaining bills to increase employment opportunities in schools for people with criminal records.

HB 4515, a bill to create health care job opportunities for people with criminal records, passed the Illinois House on Wednesday, June 29, 71-38! It will now be sent to the Governor.

Three bills have passed the Illinois General Assembly with significant bi-partisan support and will now be sent to the Governor for his signature.

Current Illinois law prohibits park districts from even considering qualified candidates with certain criminal convictions—regardless of how long ago those offenses occurred, the circumstances surrounding them or any other mitigating information. As a result, deserving and qualified applicants in our communities are unable to access jobs in their own communities.

At the April 12 rally in the rotunda of the Illinois State Capitol, hundreds of faith leaders joined CRS and put their faith into action. We marched, chanted, and prayed outside the Governor’s office demanding a fair budget now! We met with legislators and asked them to: increase job opportunities for people with criminal records; improve police accountability; and enact a fair tax and fair budget that protect the most vulnerable.

Thanks to you advocacy, four bills to increase jobs opportunities for men and women with criminal records are advancing with significant bi-partisan support through the Illinois General Assembly!