In this Easter season, FORCE leaders are spearheading advocacy efforts for people with criminal records who have turned their lives around to have the opportunity to work in local schools. Help us keep the momentum going before the next crucial deadline.

Good morning, my name is Floyd Stafford and I’m a FORCE leader. I live on the west side of Chicago, and am currently attending The University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration. When I graduate in June, I will be filled with excitement and will hopefully

Help increase employment opportunities for people with criminal records. Make phone calls to the following State Representatives TODAY.

Nearly 1,500 people from CRS congregations and neighborhood organizations across the city filled Liberty Baptist Church on Chicago’s south side yesterday to take action in the spirit of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Current laws make it illegal for employers in schools and park districts to hire qualified, law-abiding candidates because of past mistakes, no matter how old the offenses.

Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez continues her approach of deadly inaction, refusing to work with the Reclaim Campaign to reform our broken justice system and prevent violence in our communities.

An important part of Community Renewal Society’s (CRS) work is to bring together congregations to fight for social justice. Every fall CRS holds an Annual Membership Assembly to set priorities for our organizing and policy work. On Saturday, October 4, CRS membership voted to initiate two new campaigns and renew three campaigns launched in 2013.

Governor Quinn signed a law to fund meaningful community-based services for survivors of human trafficking and encourage a more effective law enforcement response to end demand for sexual exploitation.

The Joint Criminal Justice Reform Committee of the Illinois General Assembly met for the first time this week. We are advocating for the committee to look at long-term criminal justice sentencing reform.

The Cook County justice system is broken. Its policies perpetuate the cycle of violence plaguing our communities by draining our limited resources and devastating people’s lives. Instead of rehabilitating individuals who need support and treatment we impose costly punishments that often lead to isolation and despair. This is what the Cook County justice system did for Russell Cunningham, a CRS leader and member of the Reclaim Campaign from First Baptist Congregational Church. 

On Wednesday, June 25, 2014 the Chicago City Council unanimously passed the Responsible Sale of Firearms Ordinance to help prevent gun trafficking. The vote comes in advance of a federal court-ordered July 14 deadline to allow gun shops in the city.

Overall this was a very difficult legislative session in the Illinois General Assembly. But, we are not giving up or slowing down.

The Illinois General Assembly adjourned the spring legislative session on May 30, 2014.  Join us in celebrating these victories!

We are more than halfway through the Illinois General Assembly's Spring Session, which is scheduled to adjourn on May 31, 2014. Thanks to your advocacy, momentum is building for CRS' 2014 Legislative Platform.

Identified by our member congregations, the issues for Community Renewal Society's 2013-2014 Platform for Renewal direct our policy and organizing work. Join us as--together--we put our faith in action for the common good by advocating for education reform through a fair tax, affordable housing, violence reduction, and job opportunities for ex-offenders and long-term unemployed workers.

Thank you for standing up against mandatory minimums and contacting your state legislators.

Russell Cunningham, a CRS leader and member of the Reclaim Campaign from First Baptist Congregational Church in Chicago, gave the following testimony at the Reclaim Campaign Launch on November 7, 2013.

Join us in calling on members of the Illinois General Assembly and the Governor to oppose SB 1342 and any new legislation that expands mandatory minimums or enhances Illinois’ already harsh sentencing policies.

In late August 2013, Governor Quinn signed into law two key pieces of criminal justice legislation, which go into effect immediately.